By: Our Correspondent
Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has taken charge of Walida Abdulhadi Ibrahim, the girl who had been missing from Jigawa State and was previously in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
He stated that the matters concerning her abduction would be addressed in court, promising that justice would prevail.
The Governor emphasized that Walida is a daughter of Jigawa State and assured that the government would guarantee her safety and complete recovery from any trauma she may have experienced.
Accompanying the Governor to the DSS headquarters in Abuja, were the Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Haruna Aliyu; the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Barrister Bello Abdulkadir Fanini; the Commissioner of Women Affairs, Hajiya Hadiza Abdulwahab; and the Commissioner for the Ministry of Environment, Dr. Nura Ibrahim Doka, among others.
The Director General of the DSS, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, along with senior officials of the Service, handed Walida over to the governor.
The Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) was represented by Deputy National Legal Adviser, Barrister Haroun Muhammad, and Alhaji Najib Jimoh, a member of the Expanded General Purpose Committee.
Representatives from the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), various civil society organizations, and the media were also present.
However, Walida’s parents were absent during the handover at the DSS headquarters, which continued until approximately 10:40 pm.
Walida was reportedly abducted from Hadejia Local Government Area of Jigawa State by a woman named Mariam, who later exploited her sexually before fleeing.
She eventually ended up in Abuja and moved in with a DSS operative, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, with whom she had a baby girl in November 2025.
On Saturday, February 21, 2026, Weekend Trust published an exclusive interview with Walida, where she recounted her traumatic experiences.
Walida went missing in 2023, and in December 2025, her father received a call from Ifeanyi, the DSS operative, informing him that she was with him.
After her relatives’ attempts to retrieve her from Ifeanyi failed, her uncle reportedly filed a petition at the DSS headquarters in Abuja, and subsequently, the family sought legal action in a Jigawa State court.
The court ordered that Walida be released to her parents; however, the DSS submitted a counter-motion, claiming they were still investigating the situation.
In response to the Weekend Trust article, several organizations expressed concerns about Walida remaining in DSS custody.
On Monday, a coalition that included 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 press conference in Abuja, urging for Walida to be moved to a neutral location.
Ustaz Yunus Salahudeen, representing the Concerned Coalition for Walida Abdulhadi, stated that the issue transcends religion and involves larger matters of justice, constitutional order, and human rights.
He mentioned that Walida’s disappearance caused her family “unimaginable distress” for over two years, noting that her father, consumed by uncertainty, performed funeral rites under the belief that his daughter was deceased.
The ongoing controversy centered on allegations of Walida’s abduction, her conversion to Christianity, and her custody.
During his comments at the DSS headquarters yesterday, Governor Namadi announced that Walida would be under the state government’s custody until all disputes regarding her abduction were settled.
“Our concern is that Walida was abducted,” he stated, adding that the matter would be presented to a court for resolution.
“This is a state issue and will be handled accordingly,” he remarked.
He also mentioned that the baby girl born to Walida and Ifeanyi would be under the care of the Jigawa State government.
When questioned about why her parents were not involved and whether she would return to Jigawa, the governor replied, “Taking her into our custody does not mean she will automatically go back to Jigawa.
“Walida will remain in Abuja for the time being. We will ensure her security. Her case is a state issue and will be managed as such,” he affirmed.
Regarding her age, the governor stated that the court would address the dispute.
DSS DG: Our intervention is about law and order
Explaining why Walida has been in their custody since her recovery from Ifeanyi in January 2026, Director General Mr. Ajayi said it was to comply with legal requirements.
“It is regrettable that people in Nigeria do not learn from history. Our primary concern is Walida’s safety and future.
“She is a young woman entitled to live, and we have a duty to ensure her safety while the investigation is ongoing.
“I invited the governor, which was the appropriate action, and he has observed our efforts. This is a collaborative investigation, and we intentionally included various groups in our process.
“We also reached out to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to evaluate her mental health,” he explained.
Ajayi stated that even though Walida has been transferred to the Jigawa State government, the DSS, police, Civil Defence, FIDA, and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs would continue to be involved in her case.
“We have the capability to investigate this matter,” he concluded.
He remembered serving as the State Director of the DSS in Bayelsa State during the time Ese Oruru was reportedly kidnapped.
He expressed concern that some disloyal Nigerians exploited the situation to incite emotions.
The DG DSS also mentioned that Ifeanyi remains in the Service’s custody and will face consequences if he is found guilty.
“He will be held accountable if he is found at fault. We have regulations that govern our actions,” he stated.
Barrister Haroun Muhammad indicated that the NSCIA became involved in the Walida situation to help reduce tensions.
“This issue has the potential to plunge the country into disorder. It could exacerbate the already unfortunate divide between Muslims and Christians, and the events of today will convey either a positive or negative message to society,” he remarked.
(Source: Daily Trust)
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