Obey Court Order Now – MURIC Tells DSS Over Alleged Abduction of Jigawa Minor Walida
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to comply with a subsisting court order directing the immediate release of a minor, Walida Abdulhadi, to her parents in Hadejia, Jigawa State.
The group also urged the police to arrest and prosecute a DSS operative, Mr Ifeanyi Festus, over allegations of abduction and sexual assault, in line with a separate directive issued by the court.
The demands were contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Kano State Chairman of MURIC, Malam Hassan Sani Indabawa.
According to the statement, a court of competent jurisdiction on January 7, 2026, ordered the DSS to “immediately release and reunite” the girl with her parents. The court also directed that the defendant be arrested by the Commissioner of Police, Jigawa State Command, the Deputy Director-General of the DSS, or any officer under them, and further mandated the police to commence a discreet investigation into the matter.
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MURIC alleged that the minor was abducted in 2023 and has since remained in DSS custody in Abuja. The group claimed that the suspect, said to be a DSS operative, is facing charges in court bordering on abduction and sexual assault. It further alleged that the girl was below 18 years at the time of the incident, citing a birth certificate and parental testimony as proof of her age.
The organisation expressed concern that, despite what it described as a demonstrated commitment to accountability and human rights under the current DSS leadership, the court orders had yet to be executed.
While commending the DSS Director-General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, for reforms and recent actions aimed at promoting transparency within the agency, MURIC said it found the alleged non-compliance with the court order “perplexing and inexplicable.”
The group also dismissed a recent media interview granted by the girl, describing it as inappropriate while the matter remains before the court. It insisted that issues surrounding the minor’s age and religious status should be determined strictly in accordance with Nigerian law.
MURIC maintained that under Nigerian law, individuals below the age of 18 are regarded as minors and that parental rights in matters of religion are constitutionally recognised. It therefore urged the DSS to release the girl to her parents pending the conclusion of legal proceedings and to allow the criminal justice process to take its course.
The group warned that failure to comply with judicial pronouncements could undermine public confidence in state institutions and escalate public tension.
As of the time of filing this report, the DSS had not issued an official response to the allegations.
By PRNigeria
