THE Tanzania Police Force has launched an investigation into urgent social media reports alleging the abduction of former ambassador and prominent government critic, Humphrey Polepole. The investigation comes as police simultaneously confirm that the former diplomat had failed to comply with an earlier summons to appear for questioning regarding his own public allegations against the state.

Police spokesperson DCP David Misime confirmed yesterday that the force is aware of the claims, purportedly shared by individuals identifying as Polepole’s relatives, and that official follow-up is already underway.

“We have seen the information circulating on various social media platforms, and the police are closely following up to establish the facts behind these allegations,” said ACP Misime.

The spokesperson’s statement, however, brought to light a complicating factor:  Polepole was formally summoned to the Office of the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to respond to allegations he himself made on social media, which are currently under review.

“Polepole was formally summoned in accordance with the country’s laws to appear before the DCI for questioning. However, up to this point, he has not complied with the directive,” ACP Misime explained, linking the official police interest in Polepole’s whereabouts to the unfulfilled legal obligation.

The alleged abduction gained traction over the weekend with the circulation of unverified videos. One video features a man, Agustino Polepole, claiming to be Humphrey’s brother, who alleges the former ambassador was abducted in the early hours of October 6, 2025. A separate widely shared clip purportedly shows blood traces on a floor, alleged to be from inside the house where Polepole was last seen.

The police have urged the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unconfirmed information that could fuel unnecessary panic, emphasising that the authenticity of the videos remains unverified.

The former Tanzanian ambassador to Cuba has been at the centre of intense public and political attention since mid-2025.

The saga began on July 13, 2025, when Polepole publicly announced his resignation via social media, claiming the decision followed “deep reflection on the state of leadership in the country.” He wrote that he could no longer serve an administration whose direction he criticized, citing his experiences as a Member of Parliament and later as an ambassador.

This was followed by an official response from the government. On August 5, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation announced that President Samia Suluhu Hassan had relieved Polepole of his duties effective July 16, 2025, citing the decision as being “in the interest of the public.”

Since his official dismissal, Polepole has become increasingly vocal online, openly criticizing the ruling party's internal nomination process that endorsed the candidates for the upcoming October 2025 general elections.

DCP Misime concluded by stating the police will provide updates once the ongoing investigation establishes the definitive facts of the situation. The unfolding incident has heightened tensions in the pre-election atmosphere, with many Tanzanians taking to social media to demand clarity on the whereabouts and safety of the former ambassador.