The family of Abubakar Maliki, a Customs officer serving in Kano State, is in distress after he reportedly went missing following a trip to Lagos to take a promotional exam.
According to a report by PUNCH Metro, Maliki’s daughter, Zeenat, revealed that her father left Kano for Lagos last Monday to write the exam. She was in regular contact with him until Wednesday, the scheduled day of the exam.
Zeenat explained that her last conversation with her father was on Wednesday morning when he told her he was about to enter the exam hall.
However, several hours later, when she tried to reach him again, his phone indicated it was busy. She assumed he was still in the exam and expected him to return her calls once he was free, but he never did.
The following day, Zeenat attempted to contact her father again, but his phone was switched off. Concerned, she alerted her mother, who also confirmed that she had been unable to reach him since Wednesday.
“I called his number three times on Wednesday, but it was busy. I thought he might still be in the exam hall and would call back when he was done, but I never heard from him, which was very unusual,” Zeenat said. “On Thursday, I tried again, but his phone was off.
I immediately called my mum, and she also said she couldn’t reach him. He hasn’t returned home, and he’s not in Kano. I’ve contacted people in Kano who confirmed he hasn’t been seen at home.”
Zeenat further mentioned that a former colleague of her father’s, who was also in Lagos for the exam, confirmed seeing him there. The family is deeply worried as Maliki is the pillar of their family.
In terms of actions taken, Zeenat reported the situation to the Customs office in Sokoto and the police.
The Kano State Customs Public Relations Officer, Nura Abdullahi, confirmed the incident and said that an investigation is underway. He urged the family to stay in contact with the police.
“I was contacted by his daughter, and we’ve launched an investigation. We’ve confirmed he was at the exam center in Lagos, but his whereabouts after the exam are still unknown.
I’ve also advised the family to formally notify the police. We’re doing everything possible to find him,” Abdulahi stated.
