The brutal killing of Abdillah Mussa, a prominent tanzanite trader from Arusha known as ‘Banjoo,’ has ignited fresh outrage over a persistent pattern of enforced disappearances that continue to haunt Tanzania.
Mussa was abducted on February 12, 2026, and his mutilated body—bearing signs of torture with eyes gouged out and limbs broken—was discovered over 300 kilometres away in Kondoa, Dodoma region, on February 18.
However, his family’s testimony reveals that this was not a sudden, isolated act of violence, but the culmination of a campaign of intimidation in which they claim authorities were directly implicated.
In a detailed account to the media, Mussa’s son, Mussa Abdillah, described a harrowing ordeal that began long before his father’s final disappearance. This was the second time Abdillah Mussa had vanished.
In November 2025, he was taken and held for 17 days, during which his family frantically searched for him at police stations, where police confirmed holding him after days of denying. He was eventually released, having been severely tortured, with four of his toes broken. He was then charged with treason in a case that was later dismissed by the court.
READ MORE: Tanzania’s PM Confirms Abduction Crisis Amid Mounting Pressure
Police in Dodoma have told local media that investigations into the incident are ongoing and that the public will be fully informed once the probe is complete.
However, the family’s interactions with law enforcement in the days leading up to the most recent abduction paint a disturbing picture of obfuscation and inaction. Mussa’s son recounted that on February 9, 2026, the family heard rumours that the police were looking for his father.
When they went to the police station the next day to inquire, they were told, “We have no problem with him, and we are not looking for him.” This denial came just two days before he was taken.
After he disappeared on February 12, the family’s quest for answers was again met with resistance. Upon discovering Mussa’s car parked near the gym from which he was last seen, they pleaded with the police to review CCTV footage.
“They have shown us some of the cameras, but other cameras they have refused to show us,” his son stated, highlighting that the crucial footage showing his father leaving the building was being withheld.
The family’s pleas for transparency and involvement in the investigation were ignored. “We want to be included in every step of the investigation so we can know the fate of our relative,” they begged.
Their worst fears were confirmed with the discovery of his body. “An adult with health challenges from prior torture cannot simply disappear,” the family asserted in a statement, directing their plea to the highest levels of government.
“We are asking the government and the leadership of this country, including President Samia Suluhu Hassan… to ensure justice is served.”
Abdillah Mussa’s case is tragically not unique. It is the latest in a string of disappearances targeting businesspeople across the country, creating a climate of terror that extends far beyond the political sphere.
| Missing Businessman | Location | Date of Disappearance | Circumstances |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Chonchorio | Mwanza | March 23, 2025 | A member of the ruling CCM party, abducted while jogging. His whereabouts remain unknown. |
| John Changawa | Iringa | July 30, 2025 | Last seen being called over to a vehicle outside his office. He has not been seen since. |
| Davis Mandari | Arusha | March 9, 2025 | A financial services agent who sent his wife a text message stating he had been detained by police before vanishing. |
These cases underscore a systemic problem that has drawn international condemnation. United Nations human rights experts have expressed alarm over a “pattern of repression,” noting over 200 documented cases of enforced disappearance since 2019.
READ MORE: Family of Missing CCM Cadre, Daniel Chonchori, Urges Authorities to Ensure His Safe Return
At the same time, Arusha, the hub of Tanzania’s lucrative tanzanite trade, has a long and bloody history of violence linked to the gemstone industry. The region, particularly the Mererani mining area, has been the scene of numerous murders of gemstone traders over the years.
In 2021, a prominent tanzanite dealer, Erasto Msuya, was gunned down, and in 2009, dealer Justin Joseph was killed outside his home. These killings are often attributed to robberies, business rivalries, and even ritualistic practices, creating a climate of peril for those in the trade.
