Arewa Youth Leader Defends DSS over Abduction Claim in Walida’s Case
The leader of the Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA), Mohammed Salihu Danlami, has dismissed allegations that a Department of State Services (DSS) operative abducted Walida Abdulhadi Ibrahim, even as a coalition of civil society organisations continues to accuse the agency of defying a subsisting court order over her custody.
Danlami made the clarification on Monday during a press conference in Abuja, stating that earlier media reports alleging abduction by a DSS officer did not reflect what he described as the “full facts” emerging from ongoing engagements and investigations into the matter.
According to him, he met Walida four times at the DSS headquarters in Abuja and once at the DSS hospital in Lugbe. He said the meetings were attended by her biological father, representatives of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), and officials of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN).
Danlami narrated that Walida allegedly told him her ordeal began in 2023 when she left her residence in Hadejia, Jigawa State, to purchase an item and was approached by a woman identified as Maryam, who allegedly hypnotised her and transported her to a location known as Gwandu, which authorities are still trying to verify.
He further claimed that the woman later changed her name to Chinaza and converted her to Christianity. According to Danladi, Walida said she was enrolled in a school referred to as “Makaranta Mallam” and lived in a residence where some young women were allegedly involved in prostitution. He added that she reportedly fled after suffering maltreatment from a man she described as her purported father, Abubakar.
Danlami stated that after her escape, she allegedly encountered soldiers who returned her to the residence, where she claimed to have experienced further abuse, including physical assault and confinement. During that period, he said, she met a man identified as Ifeanyi near a church, who initially offered financial assistance. Their relationship, he added, later developed and resulted in the birth of a baby girl.
Addressing the contentious issue of her age, the AYA leader cited records from the National Population Commission (NPC), which indicate that Walida was born on February 7, 2004. This, he said, suggests she is 22 years old and not 16 as previously reported in some media accounts.
He also disclosed that Walida underwent a mental health evaluation and was certified medically stable, although he noted that her family’s lawyers, father and uncle were reportedly absent during the process due to disagreements over the choice of hospital.
“The purpose of this press briefing is to clear the air,” Danladi said. “Walida was not denied access to her father; she was the one who contacted him first to inform him of her whereabouts.” He added that investigations are ongoing, including inquiries into the alleged role of the woman said to have taken her from Jigawa.
However, a coalition of civil society organisations and faith-based leaders, operating under the Concerned Coalition for Walida Abdulhadi, has maintained that the DSS is allegedly continuing to detain her despite a court order directing her release to her family.
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At a separate press conference held at the Women Development Centre in Abuja, the coalition described the case as a major test of institutional accountability and respect for judicial authority. The group called for an independent investigation into an officer allegedly linked to the matter.
The coalition, which includes the International Human Rights Commission Relief Fund Trust (IHRC-RFT), Women Voices and Accountability, and the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), referenced a petition filed by lawyers under Gamji Lawchain on behalf of Walida’s father. The petition alleges that a DSS officer abducted her more than two years ago, detained her unlawfully, sexually exploited her, and compelled her conversion from Islam to Christianity without parental consent.
The petition further claims that Walida gave birth while in custody and that her mother died during the period of her disappearance, allegedly due to emotional distress and prolonged uncertainty over her whereabouts.
Speaking for the coalition, Abubakar Adam Qaloon cautioned against framing the case along religious lines, insisting that it centres on child protection, parental rights, institutional accountability and compliance with court orders.
“This is not about religious rivalry; it is about child protection, parental rights and respect for judicial directives,” he said, adding that credible institutions should welcome independent scrutiny.
A central point of dispute remains Walida’s age. While the coalition maintains that family records identified her as 16 at the time of her disappearance, recent official records, including those cited by the AYA chairman, suggest she is 22.
“The distinction between 16 and 22 is legally decisive,” the coalition stated, urging that any age determination be based strictly on verifiable documentation and subjected to independent review.
The coalition also questioned why the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has not played a more prominent role in the investigation and raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest if the DSS is both custodian and investigator in a case involving one of its officers.
PRNigeria reports that the controversy has intensified following earlier media reports and legal proceedings, including a Magistrate Court order in Hadejia, Jigawa State, directing the arrest and investigation of an officer identified as Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi over allegations of abduction, unlawful detention and forced conversion.
Security sources, however, have maintained that Walida is under protective custody after expressing concerns about her safety if returned home, and that investigations into the conduct of the officer are ongoing.
The case has drawn nationwide attention, with some observers drawing parallels to the high-profile Ese Oruru case, which similarly involved allegations of abduction and religious conversion before eventual legal intervention. Danladi, however, insisted that Walida’s situation does not constitute abduction.
Human rights advocates continue to call for judicial independence, transparency and strict adherence to due process, urging authorities to comply with court directives and ensure an impartial investigation.
As of the time of filing this report, the DSS had not issued a fresh official response to the coalition’s latest allegations. Stakeholders maintain that the safety, rights and lawful status of Walida must remain the central priority as investigations and court proceedings continue.
By PRNigeria
