Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA and the police have launched an investigation into the reported abduction of activist and party member, Mdude Nyagali. According to reports, Nyagali was forcibly taken from his home in Mbeya on the night of May 2, 2025, by individuals claiming to be police officers.

Eyewitnesses and neighbors say that the men, who identified themselves as police, forcibly broke into Nyagali’s home, severely beat him and took him away without any legal documentation or following proper arrest procedures. This violent incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many accusing the government of using excessive force to silence critics ahead of the upcoming elections.

CHADEMA has condemned the attack, calling it a clear indication of the deteriorating state of civil and political rights in Tanzania. The party described the actions as part of a broader effort to intimidate and silence government critics, especially as Tanzania prepares for elections in October 2025.

“This incident shows how the government is continuing to undermine human rights and political freedoms. It’s a worrying sign that those who speak out against the government are being targeted and treated unlawfully,”the statement read.

The party is calling for the Tanzania Police Force to urgently reveal Nyagali’s whereabouts, his condition and the legal grounds for his detention. CHADEMA has also demanded an independent investigation into the incident and accountability for those responsible.

The case has also drawn the attention of legal professionals and human rights groups, with Boniface Mwabukusi, the President of the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS), expressing his concern over the safety of citizens in Tanzania.

Within hours following the attack, social media platforms were flooded with images and videos showing bloodstains outside Nyagali’s home. The police have yet to comment on the incident and there are growing calls for a full investigation into the abduction.