The Department of State Services (DSS) Headquarters has finally handed over the 16-year old Miss Walida Abdulhadi Ibrahim to Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi after series of protests by various Non-Governmental Organizations and individuals over her abduction and sexual assault by the officer of the Service.
The handover took place in Abuja yesterday night, February 25, in response to intense pressure from civil society coalitions and the Jigawa State government.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Hamisu Mohammed Gumel, confirmed in a telephone chat today, February 26, that all necessary documentation have 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 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.”
Gumel said that the state government would pursue justice to its logical conclusion, adding: “the government will not rest on its oars until those responsible for her abduction and subsequent (sexual) 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.”
It can be recalled that Miss Walida was abducted in 2023 from Hadejia Local Government Area of Jigawa State and later found in the custody of a DSS operative, named Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi. Allegations contained in petitions filed by her family said 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 submitted to the DSS headquarters in Abuja.
The family subsequently approached a court in Jigawa State, which ordered her release to her parents but the DSS filed a counter-motion, saying that it was investigating the matter.
The case drew sustained pressure from civil society and faith-based organisations, accusing 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 newsmen, 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.
It was 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 said that Walida gave birth while in custody of Ifeanyi of the DSS.
Walida’s father alleged that her mother died during the period of her disappearance and attributed her death to prolonged emotional trauma, arising from uncertainty about her daughter’s fate.
Earlier in the 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 (MSON), 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 that 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 one Miss Ese Oruru of Bayelsa State, which similarly sparked national debate over abduction, sexual assault, religious conversion and the rule of law.
Source: PRNigeria.
