The Department of State Services (DSS) has finally released Walida Abdulhadi, the minor abducted, sexually abused and converted to Christianity allegedly by a DSS officer identified as Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi.
The secret service, after public outrage, handed the kidnapped girl to Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi Wednesday night
The DSS said it took the girl into custody in January this year. She was abducted from Jigawa state in 2024 allegedly by the DSS officer.
The Director General of the DSS, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, alongside principal officers of the Service, handed over Walida to the governor.
The governor said Walida’s case would be taken to the court to seek justice for her and her family.
Our concern is that Walida had been abducted,” he said, adding that the issue will be taken to court for adjudication.
“It is a state matter and will be treated as such,” he said.
He said she is the daughter of Jigawa State and that the government will ensure her safety and full recovery from whatever trauma she has experienced.
However, Walida’s parents were not present at the DSS headquarters during the handing over, which lasted until around 10:40 pm.
Governor Namadi said the state government would keep the girl and her daughter fathered by Ifeanyi under its care pending when all the contentious issues surrounding her abduction were resolved.
When asked why her parents were not carried along and whether she will be taken back to Jigawa, the governor said, “Taking her into our custody does not automatically mean that she will be taken back to Jigawa.
“Walida will be kept in Abuja for now. She will be provided with adequate security. Her case is a state matter and will be treated as such,” he said, adding that court will resolve the contention surrounding her age.
The DSS DG defended the detention of Walida in their custody since her recovery from Ifeanyi in January 2026, saying it was about respecting the law.
“She is a young woman who has the right to live, and we have the responsibility to ensure she is safe while the matter is being investigated.
“We have the capacity to investigate the matter,” he said.
The DG DSS also said Ifeanyi was still in detention and will not be spared if found wanting.
“He will face the music when found wanting. We have rules guiding our operations,” he said.
The raging controversy revolved around Walida’s abduction, sexual harassment and conversion to Christianity and custody.
Barrister Haroun Muhammad said “the matter is capable of throwing the country into chaos. It can deepen the unfortunate existing division between Muslims and Christians, and whatever happened here today will send the right or wrong signal to society.”
