Jigawa Govt Breaks Silence on Walida Case, Says It Is “Fully on Top of the Situation”
The Government has responded to growing public criticism over its perceived silence on the case of 16-year-old Walida Abdulhadi, declaring that it is “fully on top of the situation” and actively pursuing justice.
The development follows sustained pressure from civil society organisations and faith-based leaders who accused the (DSS) of allegedly defying a subsisting court order by continuing to hold the teenage indigene of Jigawa State in custody.
A coalition operating under the banner Concerned Coalition for Walida Abdulhadi 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 demanded immediate compliance with judicial directives and called for an independent investigation into a DSS officer, Mr. Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, who was identified in a petition as central to the alleged abduction, sexual exploitation and forced conversion to Christianity of the girl.
PRNigeria gathered that lawyers under Gamji Lawchain, acting on behalf of Walida’s father, filed a petition alleging that Mr. Onyewuenyi 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.
The petition further claimed that Walida reportedly gave birth while in custody. Her father also alleged that her mother died during the period of her disappearance, attributing her death to prolonged emotional distress and uncertainty over her daughter’s whereabouts.
Read Also:
In a formal statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor , Hamisu Mohammed Gumel, the Jigawa State Government dismissed claims of inaction, insisting that the administration has been actively engaged since the matter came to light.
“The State Government has been fully aware of the matter from the moment it came to light and has since been proactively involved in addressing it,” Gumel stated.
He emphasised that Governor Namadi has personally initiated high-level consultations with appropriate authorities in Abuja to ensure that the case is handled fairly and transparently.
According to the statement, the Jigawa State Ministry of Justice has been formally mandated to monitor the case, coordinate with federal authorities, and verify Walida’s welfare and legal status.
The government acknowledged the emotional toll the case has taken on the people of Jigawa, assuring residents that the protection of the “rights, dignity, and welfare of every Jigawa indigene” remains a top priority.
“Governor Malam Umar Namadi has personally initiated high-level contacts to ensure the case is handled fairly. We assure the public that the government is fully on top of the situation,” the statement added.
The case has drawn significant national attention, with observers drawing parallels to the high-profile case of , a teenager from the South-South who was reportedly taken to Kano and later recovered following legal and public intervention. Her alleged abductor, Yunusa Yellow, was subsequently prosecuted and convicted.
Human rights advocates have continued to call for judicial independence, transparency, and strict adherence to due process as investigations into Walida’s case unfold.
The Jigawa State Government promised to provide further briefings as legal and administrative processes reach critical milestones, signalling what observers describe as a shift from behind-the-scenes engagement to a more visible defence of its citizen.
As of the time of filing this report, the DSS had not issued an official response to the allegations.
By PRNigeria
