A whistleblower who reportedly exposed a staggering ₦2.5 million blackmail plot against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has mysteriously disappeared after being taken into police custody, sparking outrage and fear among his family members.
The whistleblower, whose identity is being withheld for security reasons, was arrested by police operatives three weeks ago under unclear circumstances. Since then, the family says, all efforts to reach him or confirm his whereabouts have been futile.
“He’s simply vanished. No access, no charges, no information. We are worried for his life,” a distraught relative told reporters in Abuja. “He did the right thing by speaking out, but now we fear he’s being punished for it.”
The whistleblower had earlier alleged that a syndicate attempted to extort Senator Natasha to the tune of ₦2.5 million in exchange for suppressing damaging materials. His disclosure reportedly triggered an internal investigation, but sources suggest some powerful interests may have turned the tables against him.
Human rights advocates and civil society groups are now calling on the Inspector General of Police and the National Human Rights Commission to urgently intervene and provide clarity on the whistleblower’s status.
“This is not just about one man,” said activist Aisha Yunusa of Justice Watch Nigeria. “It’s about protecting those who dare to tell the truth. Whistleblowers should not disappear into thin air.”
Senator Natasha’s camp has remained tight-lipped on the matter, neither confirming nor denying knowledge of the arrest or the alleged plot.
The incident has reignited public concern over whistleblower protection and accountability within Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies. Legal experts say the silence surrounding the arrest violates due process and may discourage future disclosures.
As days turn into weeks, the family’s plea grows more desperate: “We just want to know if he’s alive. If telling the truth means vanishing, then no one is safe.”
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