- The family of Islamic scholar Sheikh Khalifa Sani Abdulkadir has expressed shock at the disappearance 25 days after he traveled to Abuja to resolve issues related to his bank account being frozen.
- They said they have yet to receive an official explanation for his arrest or current whereabouts.
Twenty-five days after Zaria Islamic scholar Sheikh Khalifa Sani Abdulkadir traveled to Abuja to resolve an issue with his bank account being frozen, his wife and children have expressed concern over his continued disappearance.
Sheikh Abdulkader is a prominent leader of Fitianu Islam, a Tijjani sect with strong influence in Zaria and other parts of Kaduna state.
The scholar’s wife, Hajiya Ramatu Khalifa Sani Abdulkadir, narrated the circumstances of his departure from home in an interview with Radio Monitor International in Kaduna.
According to her, the cleric told her that he was going to Abuja to resolve issues related to his bank account and promised to return the same day, before he left early in the morning.
“He knocked on my door in the morning. I told him I was praying. He gave me money for household expenses and said he was going to Abuja and God willing, he would be back that day,” she said.
She lamented that from that day on, her family never had contact with him.
“From that day to now, I have never heard his voice again. Whenever I call his phone, the phone is switched off. Today has been 25 days since I last heard from him.” she added.
Hajia Ramatu described the emotional toll the situation has taken on her and her children.
“I was home alone with the kids. I was very nervous. I felt dizzy and couldn’t sleep. I was trying to be strong so the kids wouldn’t panic, but we were very worried,” she said.
She further revealed that the family later learned that the matter may be related to the alleged £2 million transaction.
“It was said that his account was blocked and he had to go to Abuja to reopen it. Later, we were told that it was related to about ₦2 million,” she said.
The scholar’s son, Sunusi Khalifa Sani Abdulkadir, who accompanied his father to Abuja, gave further details about the events that followed.
He explained that they were informed that the bank accounts were frozen on the instructions of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“After his account was frozen, he asked why and was told that it was the EFCC and that he could only reopen the account if he went to their office,” Sunusi said.
According to him, the EFCC later informed them that a payment of 2 million francs in the account was under investigation.
“They said £2 million had been sent to him and they were investigating. He explained that he had been linked to another man who asked for prayers regarding personal life matters and he carried out what was asked,” he explained.
Sunusi added that the situation later changed and the case was reportedly described as a military matter.
“They said it was a military case and informed the soldiers. They also said my father agreed to return the money. The soldiers said they would come to question him and from that day on, we have not seen him for 25 days,” he said.
He further revealed that during this period, the family received only one brief phone call from the clergy.
“Within those 25 days, they gave him a phone number and he called and said he was fine. But we still don’t know why he was arrested, where he was and what his condition was,” he added.
Responding to rumors that the cleric was arrested on suspicion of receiving money to pray for individuals plotting the coup, Sunusi said his family was unaware of such accusations.
“We don’t know anything about it because no one informed us and the authorities didn’t say anything like that to us,” he said.
The family of Sheikh Khalifa Sani Abdulkader has called on authorities to release Sheikh Khalifa Sani Abdulkader or reveal his whereabouts, citing the pain and trauma caused by the long silence.
