The family of Abubakar Maliki, a Customs officer serving in Kano State, has been gripped by fear and uncertainty after he went missing during a visit to Lagos for a promotional exam.
Maliki, who left Kano last Monday for Lagos, last communicated with his family on Wednesday morning before heading into the examination hall.
His daughter, Zeenat Maliki who shared the distressing details on Monday said she was in contact with her father after he arrived in Lagos and spoke with him on the morning of his exam day.
However, after speaking with him for the last time, her attempts to reach him later in the day were unsuccessful.
She initially assumed he was still in the examination hall when her calls indicated his line was busy.
“On Wednesday, I called his number three times, but the number was busy. I thought maybe he was still in the examination hall and would return my calls when he came out. But I did not hear from him, which was very unlike him,” Zeenat explained.
Her concerns deepened on Thursday when she tried calling again, only to find his phone switched off.
This prompted her to alert her mother, who also confirmed that she had not been able to reach Maliki since Wednesday.
The family became more alarmed when they contacted people in Kano and confirmed that Maliki had not returned home.
Zeenat recounted, “He has not returned home, and he is not in Kano State. I have called those I know in Kano, and they said he is also not at home.”
One of Maliki’s former colleagues, who also travelled to Lagos for the same examination, confirmed that they had met in Lagos, but Maliki’s whereabouts have remained unknown since Wednesday.
The family is now deeply worried. “He is all we have, and we cannot afford to lose him,” Zeenat added.
Efforts have been made to locate Maliki, including a visit to the Customs office in Sokoto and filing a report with the police.
“The Kano State Customs Public Relations Officer, Nura Abdullahi, confirmed the incident and stated that the command had launched an investigation into Maliki’s disappearance.
He urged the family to remain in contact with the police as the search continues.