BREAKING: Nigeria Police Arrest Activist Imam Over Criticism Of Taraba Relief Distribution After Petition By SEMA Boss Audu

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The arrest is said to be linked to Imam’s public calls for transparency in the distribution of relief materials intended for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable residents in Taraba State.

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the Federal Capital Territory Criminal Investigation Department (FCT CID) have reportedly arrested human rights activist Abdulmumin Imam in Abuja, following a petition filed by the Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr. Echuseh Audu.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported allegations that Dr. Audu sought to use the police to intimidate and silence Imam over his persistent demands for accountability concerning relief items reportedly distributed under her supervision.

The agency led by Audu is responsible for delivering emergency support to displaced persons and disadvantaged communities across Taraba State, a region frequently affected by humanitarian crises arising from communal clashes and natural disasters.

Imam, known for using his social media platforms to question whether aid meant for IDPs and low-income residents was reaching its intended beneficiaries, reportedly became the subject of a police petition initiated by the SEMA chief.

According to documents obtained by SaharaReporters, Audu accused Imam of cyberbullying, defamation of character after he publicly questioned the transparency of the agency’s relief distribution process.

Speaking to SaharaReporters on Tuesday evening, a source narrated how the officers allegedly stormed Imam’s residence in a Gestapo-style operation and physically assaulted him after he demanded proper identification.

“One Officer Fala slapped Imam for asking him to identify himself. He pushed him into the moving car. Imam is at FCT CID. Maybe tomorrow he will be moved to Taraba,” the source said.

Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr. Echuseh Audu

However, the activist maintained that he had never refused to cooperate with authorities and had, through his legal counsel, already indicated willingness to honour a police invitation once adequate notice was provided.

Meanwhile, Imam’s lawyer, Charles Ude, had earlier written to the Deputy Commissioner of Police at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Jalingo, Taraba State, on March 30, 2026, regarding an invitation letter issued to the activist.

In the letter, Ude confirmed that his client was willing to cooperate with investigators but requested a more convenient date to allow him make proper logistical arrangements, noting that Imam was not within Jalingo at the time the invitation was issued.

The letter reads in part: “We act as solicitors to Mr. Abdulmumin Imam in respect of your letter dated March, 2026.

“Our client informs us that the said invitation was only recently brought to his attention. We note that the letter references an investigation involving allegations of cyberbullying, criminal defamation, and criminal intimidation. However, the particulars of the complaint and the basis upon which our client is implicated were not disclosed.

“Notwithstanding, our client is a law-abiding citizen and is willing to cooperate with your office.

“However, due to the short notice and his prior professional and personal commitments, coupled with the fact that he is currently outside Jalingo, he is unable to honour the invitation on the scheduled date.

“In the circumstances, we respectfully request that a more convenient date be communicated, preferably towards the end of April 2026, to enable our client make the necessary logistical and professional arrangements.

“We trust that this request will be accorded due consideration.”

On March 29, 2026, SaharaReporters reported that Audu had voluntarily presented herself to security and investigative authorities for scrutiny following allegations circulated in a Facebook post accusing the agency of diverting relief materials.

According to reports, Audu reported to multiple agencies, including the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Special Adviser on Security to the Taraba State governor, and the state Ministry of Justice, requesting a comprehensive investigation into the claims.

The allegations, which originated on Facebook and later spread across social media platforms, claimed that more than 10,000 bags of rice and over 1,000 cartons of groundnut oil meant for internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups were diverted and sold outside the state.