Coalition Decries DSS Over Custody of 16‑Year‑Old Walida, Calls for Prosecution of Officer Accused of Sexual Exploitation and Minor Conversion
A coalition of civil society organisations and faith-based leaders has accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of defying a subsisting court order by allegedly continuing to hold 16-year-old Walida Abdulhadi in custody, calling for immediate compliance with judicial directives and an independent investigation into an officer linked to the case.
PRNigeria reports that a petition filed by lawyers under Gamji Lawchain on behalf of Walida’s father alleges that a DSS officer abducted the teenager more than two years ago, detained her unlawfully, sexually exploited her, and compelled her conversion from Islam to Christianity without parental consent.
According to the petition, Walida reportedly gave birth while in custody. Her father also alleged that her mother died during the period of her disappearance, claiming that prolonged emotional distress and uncertainty over her daughter’s whereabouts contributed to her death.
Operating under the banner of the Concerned Coalition for Walida Abdulhadi, the group addressed a press conference on Monday at the Women Development Centre in Abuja, describing the matter as a “serious test of institutional accountability and respect for the rule of law.”
The coalition identified Mr. Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, described as a DSS officer, as central to the alleged abduction and continued custody of the minor from Jigawa State, and demanded that he be subjected to prosecution if found culpable.
The coalition—comprising the International Human Rights Commission Relief Fund Trust (IHRC-RFT), Women Voices and Accountability, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), and other rights advocates—argued that the case now transcends personal circumstances and raises broader concerns about judicial compliance, child protection, and constitutional safeguards.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Abubakar Adam Qaloon cautioned against framing the issue as a religious dispute.
“This is not about religious rivalry,” he said. “It is about child protection, parental rights, institutional accountability, and respect for court orders. Strong institutions do not fear investigation.”
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A central point of contention is the dispute over Walida’s age. The coalition maintained that family records and earlier reports identified her as 16 at the time of her disappearance, while recent media accounts have reportedly described her as 22.
“The distinction between 16 and 22 is not cosmetic; it is legally decisive,” the group stated, warning that altering the age narrative without transparent verification could undermine child protection laws.
The coalition called for any determination of her age to be based strictly on verifiable documentation and subjected to independent legal scrutiny.
The group also questioned why the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the statutory body mandated to handle cases involving minors and trafficking-related allegations, has not been centrally involved in the investigation.
It further raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest if the DSS is both custodian and investigator in a matter involving one of its officers.
Additionally, the coalition alleged that Walida’s family has been denied direct access to her, preventing independent confirmation of her welfare and that of her reported child.
“Public statements cannot substitute for transparent judicial determination,” the coalition said, urging authorities to allow due process to proceed unhindered.
The coalition called on the Federal Government and DSS leadership to ensure full compliance with court orders, facilitate Walida’s reunification with her family in Jigawa State if so directed by the courts, and guarantee an impartial investigation into the allegations.
“Let due process take its lawful course. Let truth emerge through constitutional mechanisms. Let justice be pursued without fear or favour,” the group concluded.
PRNigeria reports that the case has drawn significant national attention, with observers drawing parallels to the high-profile case of Ese Oruru, a Christian teenager from the South-South who was reportedly taken to Kano, converted to Islam by an alleged suitor, Yunusa Yellow, and later recovered following legal and public intervention. Yunusa was subsequently arrested and convicted by a court.
Human rights advocates continue to call for judicial independence, transparency, and strict adherence to due process as investigations into Walida’s case unfold.
As of the time of filing this report, the DSS had not issued an official response to the allegations.
By PRNigeria
