ABUJA, Nigeria — Governor Umar Namadi on Thursday took custody of Walida Abdulhadi Ibrahim, the abducted girl from Jigawa State, who had been in the care of the Department of State Services (DSS). The governor assured that all legal issues surrounding her abduction would be handled by the courts, emphasizing that justice will be served.
Governor Namadi, accompanied by senior state officials including the Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Haruna Aliyu, the Attorney General, Bello Abdulkadir Fanini, and commissioners for Women Affairs and Environment, received Walida at the DSS headquarters in Abuja.
The Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, handed over Walida, assuring that the DSS will continue to monitor her welfare and that of her baby girl, born in November 2025. Walida was allegedly abducted from Hadejia Local Government Area in 2023 and had been subjected to sexual exploitation by a DSS operative, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, who remains in detention pending investigation.
Governor Namadi stressed, “Walida is the daughter of Jigawa State, and the government will ensure her safety and full recovery from whatever trauma she might have passed through.” He clarified that while she will remain in Abuja under state custody for now, the legal and contentious matters will be resolved in court.
The DSS DG highlighted that Walida’s custody was about respecting the law and ensuring her safety. He emphasized that all agencies, including the DSS, police, Civil Defence, FIDA, and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, will remain involved to safeguard her well-being.
The handing-over was attended by representatives of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), civil society organizations, and the media. Walida’s parents were not present during the transfer.
The incident has drawn national attention due to its sensitivity, involving allegations of abduction, religious conversion, and sexual exploitation, with stakeholders emphasizing that the matter goes beyond religion to justice, constitutional order, and human rights.
