The Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA) has launched a manhunt for Mohammed Dauda, the country’s Ambassador to Chad who slipped into hiding after claiming that his life was in danger following a testimony he gave when he appeared before a House of Representatives Committee last month.

The Federal Government had sometime last year recalled Dauda from his post in N’djamena, the Chadian capital to take temporary charge of the NIA following the suspension of its then Director – General, Ayodele Oke after a huge sum of money reportedly belonging to the agency was uncovered at a luxury apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Between November 2017 and January 2018, the period Dauda held sway at the agency before being replaced by Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, he appeared before the House Committee and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) where he  levelled corruption allegations against members of a panel set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to recommend ways of repositioning the agency.

Members of the panel, led by a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babagana Kingibe had denied any wrongdoings, alleging that Mr. Dauda was only trying to get his own pound of flesh because he believed the panel was responsible for his removal.

After Dauda was replaced as head of the NIA, he was instructed to return to his duty post in N’djamena but he refused, saying his cover as a security operative had been undermined following his brief appointment with the NIA and as such he could no longer function as an ambassador anywhere in the world.

While arguing that he could be killed if he returned to Chad, the Ambassador also refused to report to the headquarters of the NIA for a possible fresh posting.

As part of the moves to apprehend the ambassador, security operatives last week reportedly stormed his residence located in the upscale Maitama District of Abuja but Dauda and his family were nowhere in sight.

It  remains unclear whether Dauda and his family have fled the country but armed security operatives are still keeping an eye on the house.