According to the family source, the collapsed Namnai Bridge has remained untouched 15 months after it fell in August 2024, despite federal approval for emergency works.
A Taraba State-based civic advocate, Abdulmumin Imam, has raised a distress alarm alleging that the Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu, secretly procured a security order directing the Police, DSS, and Civil Defence to arrest him over his criticism of government inaction on the collapsed Namnai Bridge.
Imam, who has consistently documented the human tragedy unfolding around the fallen bridge, said his only offence was exposing what he described as a covert diversion of N16.5 billion approved by the Federal Executive Council for the emergency reconstruction of the bridge.
A family source who spoke to SaharaReporters on Thursday said the activist had received no invitation, no summons, no query, and no formal notice from any security agency.
“Everything was done behind closed doors. Abdulmumin has committed no crime,” the source told SaharaReporters.
According to the family source, the collapsed Namnai Bridge has remained untouched 15 months after it fell in August 2024, despite federal approval for emergency works.
The source recounted multiple tragedies at the site, including the death of a pregnant woman and a toddler whose body was never recovered, as locals continue to risk their lives crossing the dangerous river channel.
"A whole community has been cut off. These are human tragedies, not politics,” the source added.
Meanwhile, in a Facebook post shared earlier this week, Imam accused the Minister of State for Regional Development of stalling the emergency bridge project while allegedly lobbying for the funds to be channelled into a non-emergency concrete pavement project on the Namnai–Jalingo access road.
The activist wrote:“LIVES ARE BEING LOST AT NAMNAI BRIDGE WHILE THIS EMERGENCY CONTRACT IS STALLED!
"Why is Minister Uba Maigari Ahmadu sitting on the Namnai Bridge contract?
"Tarabans, here are the facts: The Namnai Bridge COLLAPSED in AUGUST 2024.
"Today is 26th NOVEMBER 2025, (15 MONTHS later) yet NOTHING has been done. In JULY 2025, 3 INNOCENT PEOPLE DIED trying to cross the river."
Imam explained that the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi acted immediately and decisively and placed the Namnai bridge reconstruction under EMERGENCY PROCUREMENT, presented it to Mr. President at FEC and it was APPROVED IMMEDIATELY.
"On 10th SEPTEMBER 2025, the first contract was awarded:Company: Wiz China Worldwide Engineering Ltd. Project: Emergency Reconstruction of Namnai Bridge (10 SPANS).
"Amount: N16.5 BILLION, Ref: DD (P&D)/BNC/52/70.The BPP issued a NO-OBJECTION for the EMERGENCY RECONSTRUCTION of the bridge under the Ministry of Works. All approvals were completed. Mobilization was NEXT.
He noted that everything suddenly stopped.
"It is alleged that Minister Uba Maigari Ahmadu rushed to Minister of Works Dave Umahi. He lobbied and pleaded with the Minister to divert the N16.5 BILLION meant for the Namnai bridge reconstruction that was approved by Mr. President to a NON-EMERGENCY concrete pavement project on the Namnai–Jalingo access road while pushing for NEDC to take over the Namnai bridge project.
"Is this patriotism or a complete betrayal of Taraba? Following that alleged interference, on 28th OCTOBER 2025, the Ministry of Works awarded a second contract: Project: Emergency Reconstruction of Access Road
"Amount: N16.5 BILLION with Ref: DD (P&D)/BNC/52/82. If the project had not been hijacked as alleged by Uba Maigari Ahmade, the 10 PIERS (the deep foundation pillars that carry the bridge) would have been standing TODAY," Imam said.
Imam argues this diversion left the bridge unrepaired, with no evidence of mobilization: “NO machines. NO staff. NO mobilisation.
He stated, "Locals are forced to arrange sandbags just to survive.Tarabans, ask yourselves: Is an access road more urgent than a collapsed bridge that already claimed lives?
"If the Minister denies lobbying, can he prove Mr. President ordered the diversion?How is Dave Umahi from Ebonyi more committed to Taraba than the Minister representing Taraba at FEC?
"Why is an EMERGENCY bridge project stalled while a NON-EMERGENCY road project is moving?," he added.
Meanwhile, in a letter signed by the Director of Public Procurement, Dauda Ismaila Belel, on behalf of the Honourable Minister, and obtained by SaharaReporters, dated September 10, 2025, with Ref. No.: DD (P & D)/BNC/52/70, Belel explained that the provisional award of contract for the emergency reconstruction of the bridge at Ch. 43+500 (Nammai Bridge) along the Jalingo–Wukari Road in Taraba State (10 spans) had been approved.
He stated that he was directed to convey the Management’s approval for the emergency reconstruction of the bridge at Ch. 43+500 (Nammai Bridge) along the Jalingo–Wukari Road in Taraba State (10 spans), in the provisional sum of N16,500,000,000.00 (Sixteen Billion, Five Hundred Million Naira only), inclusive of 7.5% VAT.
The statement read, "Please note that this award is made contingent conditions: contingent upon you fulfilling/accepting the following: submission of a formal letter of acceptance within five (5) working days of receipt of this offer along with your company account details;
"liaising with the Department of Legal Services for execution of a formal Contract Agreement, wherein some specifio contract details shall be agreed upon; that the offer is non-transferable and deemed duly terminated by effluxion of time unless otherwise formally reviewed by the Ministry.
"That payment shall only be made upon satisfactory performance/attainment of agreed milestone(s) as shall be enshrined in the service Legal Agreement to be duly executed between your company and the Ministry; and maintaining a healthy liaison with the relevant user Department (Highways, Bridges & Design) to enable issuance of Engineer's Order to commence work immediately as well as to ensure Recessary supervision during the execution of this urgent assignment.
"Please note that his offer is awarded under the Emergency Procurement and therefore, the final contract price is subject to certification by the Bureau of Public Procurement upon successful execution of the project," Belel said.
However, all efforts made by SaharaReporters to reach the Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.