By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (YOWICAN), Billiri LGA of Gombe State has expressed grave concern and strong condemnation over the continued unlawful detention of Miss Faith Barnabas, a 17-year-old Christian minor and indigene of the LGA, who resides with a guardian in Bauchi State.
Giving a background of the case, YOWICAN stated that, “According to a Fundamental Rights Suit filed on June 29, 2026* at the Federal High Court, Jos, Plateau State, by her mother and sole surviving parent, Mrs. Kumabe Zakari, it was alleged that Faith Barnabas went missing from her grandmother’s residence in Bauchi State in April 2026 after completing the University entrance examinations.”
It was also alleged that an adult male, Sadiq Ahmad Hassan, who had been grooming the minor for several years, removed her from Jos to an undisclosed location on April 30, 2026 when the family received correspondence from the Bauchi State Shari’ah Commission stating that the minor had converted to Islam and adopted the name“Sa’adatu”.
YOWICAN added that rather than being returned to her mother, the minor was placed in the custody of the Bauchi State Orphans and Vulnerable Children Agency (BASOVCA).
It stated that, “Despite an interim order of a Bauchi District Court dated May 20, 2026 directing her release to her mother, BASOVCA allegedly refused compliance and barred the mother from access, while allegedly permitting access to the named individual.”
The Respondents named in the suit include the Bauchi State Government, Attorney General, Shari’ah Commission, BASOVCA, Nigeria Police, and Mr. Sadiq Ahmad Hassan.
According to YOWICAN,”On the July 6, 2026, the Federal High Court, Jos Division, delivered judgment in the matter and ordered the immediate release of Miss Faith Barnabas to her mother, Mrs. Kumabe Zakaria.”
It however stated that, “As of August 2, 2026, the Bauchi State Government and BASOVCA have failed, refused, and neglected to comply with the binding order of a competent court of law.
It stressed that,”This continued detention amounts to contempt of court and a direct violation of the rule of law.” YOWICAN Billiri LGA therefore condemned the action as a violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Sections 35 on Personal Liberty, 37 on Family Life, and 38(1) on Freedom of Thought, Conscience and Religion.
It stressed that the Child Rights Act, 2003 and Bauchi State Child Protection Law, 2023, both define a child as any person below 18 years and vest parental guardianship with the parent for decisions relating to religion and welfare just as Section 8 of the Bauchi State Child Protection Law mandates that parental duty “shall be respected by all persons, bodies, institutions and authorities.”
It also cited Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to all of which Nigeria is a state party.
“We further note that this case reflects a broader pattern documented by civil society and by UN Special Rapporteurs in their communication to the Government of Nigeria dated June 8, 2026, regarding alleged abductions, forced conversions, and child marriages of Christian minors in northern Nigeria,”
It stated. YOWICAN Billiri LGA urgently called upon the Bauchi State Government and BASOVCA to immediately and unconditionally obey the Federal High Court judgment of July 6, 2026 and release Miss Faith Barnabas to her lawful mother while the Attorney General of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police, and relevant security agencies to enforce the court order and protect the minor and her mother from further harm.
It further called for the Initiation of contempt proceedings against all public officials and institutions that have willfully disobeyed the court order while all administrative actions and documents purporting to effect the change of religion and name of the minor be declared null and void.
YOWICAN added, “We call on the Federal Government of Nigeria, the National Human Rights Commission, Diplomatic Missions, UN Agencies, and all people of goodwill to speak out against this violation of judicial authority and the rights of a child.”
According to it, “The failure to release Faith Barnabas after a clear court pronouncement undermines democracy, the independence of the judiciary, and the protection of children in Nigeria.”
“We stand in full solidarity with Mrs. Kumabe Zakari and her family, and we will pursue all legal remedies available to ensure justice is done. Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, that you may live.” Deuteronomy 16:20,” it concluded, as contained in a statement signed by Comr. Sarki P. Napthali, YOWICAN, Billiri LGA Chapter, Gombe State.
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