Finally, Jigawa Govt Receives Abducted Walida from DSS, Pledges Rehabilitation and Justice
In a high-stakes midnight resolution to a national controversy, Jigawa State Governor Malam Umar Namadi has officially taken custody of Walida Abdulhadi Ibrahim, the 16-year-old girl whose disappearance and alleged custody by a security operative sparked a firestorm of judicial and religious debate.
The handover took place at the Department of State Services (DSS) Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday night, following intense pressure from civil society coalitions and the Jigawa State government.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Hamisu Mohammed Gumel, who spoke with PRNigeria by telephone on Thursday morning, said all necessary documentation had been concluded, with final arrangements underway to complete her formal transfer to the state government.
“I can authoritatively confirm that the Jigawa State Government, under the leadership of Governor Umar Namadi, took custody of Walida Abdulhadi Ibrahim last night. Other necessary arrangements will be finalised today to ensure her full transfer into government care,” Gumel stated.
He further explained that the state government has made arrangements to admit Walida to a hospital for a comprehensive medical evaluation to ascertain her physical and psychological condition. According to him, the government will also facilitate her return to school and assume full responsibility for her educational needs up to the tertiary level to ensure her successful reintegration into society.
“Arrangements are being made to admit her into a hospital and take full responsibility for her healthcare and mental well-being. The government will also ensure she resumes her education and completes it successfully,” he added.
On the issue of accountability, Gumel stressed that the state government would pursue justice to its logical conclusion.
“The government will not rest on its oars until those responsible for her abduction and subsequent assault are brought to justice. The Nigeria Police Force is also expected to take over the process of identifying and prosecuting the culprits to ensure justice is served,” he assured.
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Walida was reportedly abducted in 2023 from Hadejia Local Government Area of Jigawa State and later found in the custody of a DSS operative, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi. Allegations contained in petitions filed by her family claim that she was unlawfully detained, forced to change her religion, and subjected to sexual exploitation during her captivity.
After repeated efforts by her relatives to secure her release proved unsuccessful, a petition was reportedly submitted to the DSS headquarters in Abuja. The family subsequently approached a court in Jigawa State, which ordered her release to her parents. However, the DSS filed a counter-motion, stating that it was investigating the matter.
The case drew sustained pressure from civil society and faith-based organisations, which accused the DSS of defying a valid court order by continuing to hold the teenager.
A coalition operating under the banner “Concerned Coalition for Walida Abdulhadi” addressed a press conference at the Women Development Centre in Abuja, describing the situation as a serious test of institutional accountability and respect for the rule of law. The coalition called for strict compliance with judicial directives and demanded an independent investigation into the allegations against the DSS operative.
PRNigeria gathered that lawyers from Gamji Lawchain, acting on behalf of Walida’s father, had filed a detailed petition alleging abduction, unlawful detention, sexual exploitation, and forced religious conversion without parental consent. The petition further claimed that Walida gave birth while in custody.
Her father also alleged that her mother passed away during the period of her disappearance, attributing her death to prolonged emotional trauma arising from uncertainty about her daughter’s fate.
Earlier this week, organisations including the Abuja chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), the Muslim Students’ Organisation of Nigeria (MSO), and Women in Da’awa held a joint press conference in Abuja, calling for her transfer to a neutral authority and a transparent investigation.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Ustaz Yunus Salahudeen said the matter transcends religious considerations and underscores broader issues of justice, constitutional order, and human rights.
The case has continued to generate widespread public reaction, drawing comparisons with the earlier case involving Ese Oruru in Bayelsa State, which similarly sparked national debate over abduction, religious conversion, and the rule of law.
By PRNigeria
