Imam had raised a distress alarm alleging that 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.
The Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu, has denied allegations that he secretly procured a court order to arrest Taraba-based civic advocate Abdulmumin Imam, who has consistently criticised the Federal Government’s handling of the collapsed Namnai Bridge and the alleged diversion of N16.5 billion approved for its reconstruction.
President Bola Tinubu initially appointed Maigari as Minister of State for Steel Development, before later redeploying him to the Ministry of Regional Development, where he currently serves.
The denial was contained in a statement issued by Jamila M. Indabawa, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, following claims that security agencies had been mobilised to track and arrest Imam over his online commentaries and public engagements on the stalled project.
According to the statement, Ahmadu neither sought nor obtained any security order, secret or otherwise, directing the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, or any other agency to arrest, intimidate, or harm Mr. Abdulmumin Imam or any other citizen in connection with the Namnai Bridge or any other matter.
The Minister insisted that he welcomes public scrutiny and would never endorse the use of security agencies against critics, adding that the allegations were false, malicious, and designed to incite public distrust.
The statement read, "We categorically state that there is no iota of truth in these allegations. The Honourable Minister has neither sought nor obtained any security order—secret or otherwise—directing the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, or any other agency to arrest, intimidate, or harm Mr. Abdulmumin Imam or any other citizen in connection with the Namnai Bridge or any other matter.
"The Ministry of Regional Development is not the supervising ministry for the Namnai Bridge reconstruction project, nor is the Honourable Minister directly responsible for the release, management, or expenditure of funds approved for the bridge.
"Claims suggesting personal financial involvement or diversion of funds by the Honourable Minister are completely false, baseless, and appear designed to mislead the public and tarnish his hard-earned reputation.
"The Honourable Minister remains deeply concerned about the hardship faced by citizens of Taraba State and the North-East region as a result of the unfortunate collapse of the Namnai Bridge in August 2024. Since assuming office, he has consistently engaged relevant authorities, including the Federal Ministry of Works and other critical stakeholders, to ensure that the reconstruction meets the highest standards of quality, durability, and timeliness."
"Several other strategic infrastructure projects across Taraba State and the country are also receiving the Minister’s focused attention and advocacy,” the statement said.
"The Ministry of Regional Development welcomes constructive criticism and genuine advocacy from citizens and civil society groups. However, it is regrettable when such advocacy is built on falsehoods, unsubstantiated financial allegations, and fabricated claims of victimisation.
"We urge media organisations to verify information thoroughly before publication, especially when it borders on character assassination of public officers who are working tirelessly, often under challenging circumstances, to deliver democratic dividends to Nigerians.”
According to the statement, the minister ”remains undeterred and fully committed to discharging his duties with integrity, transparency, and dedication to the development of our dear country."
Meanwhile, the controversy comes months after a video resurfaced of the Minister at the site of the collapsed Namnai Bridge in 2024, where he boldly assured residents that the Federal Government would deliver immediate intervention.
Speaking at the time, Ahmadu said: "As an immediate response, we'll do that if it requires a bailey bridge, we'll get that if it requires a floating bridge, whatever it takes, we'll get one. But I want you to hold us responsible and accountable, being a responsive and responsible government that in one week, God willing, we'll find solutions to the terrible situation behind us."
SaharaReporters previously reported that Imam had raised a distress alarm alleging that 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.