JUST IN: DSS releases Walida, Jigawa government takes custody

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Governor Umar Namadi has taken custody of Walida Abdulhadi Ibrahim, the teenage girl from Jigawa State who had been held by the Department of State Services (DSS). The handover took place at the DSS headquarters in Abuja late Wednesday night, with the governor assuring that her case will be addressed through legal means.

He stated that matters surrounding her alleged abduction would be handled in court and expressed confidence that justice would prevail. The governor also stressed that Walida belongs to Jigawa State and that the government will ensure her protection and support as she recovers from her ordeal.

The DSS Director General, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, formally handed her over in the presence of senior officials, including members of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, civil society groups, and legal representatives. However, Walida’s parents were absent during the process, which ended around 10:40 pm.

Walida was reportedly abducted from Hadejia Local Government Area in 2023 by a woman identified as Mariam. She was allegedly subjected to sexual exploitation before relocating to Abuja, where she stayed with a DSS operative, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi. She later gave birth to a baby girl in November 2025.

Her case gained renewed attention after an interview published on February 21, 2026, in which she detailed her experiences. Her disappearance had earlier caused deep distress to her family, with her father reportedly performing funeral rites after believing she was dead.

Efforts by her family to secure her release initially failed, leading to legal action. Although a court in Jigawa ordered that she be released to her parents, the DSS challenged the ruling, citing ongoing investigations.

Public concern grew following the report, prompting several groups, including the Muslim Rights Concern, the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria, and the Muslim Students’ Organisation of Nigeria, to demand that she be moved to a neutral location. Speaking for the coalition, Ustaz Yunus Salahudeen said the issue extends beyond religion and involves justice, constitutional order, and human rights. He added that her disappearance caused her family “unimaginable distress.”

Addressing journalists, Governor Namadi said Walida would remain under the care of the Jigawa State government while legal issues are resolved. “Our concern is that Walida had been abducted,” he said, adding that the controversy will be tabled before a law court for adjudication. “It is a state matter and will be treated as such,” he said.

He also confirmed that her baby would remain under government custody. On her immediate location, 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.”

On her age, he said the court would determine the matter.

Explaining the DSS position, Ajayi said the agency acted in line with the law. “It is unfortunate that people don’t learn from history in Nigeria. Our major concern is about the safety and the future of Walida. 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,” he said.

He added, “I invited the governor, which is the right thing to do, and he has seen what we are doing. It is an inter-agency investigation, and we deliberately invited various groups to be part of what we are doing. We also invited the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to ascertain her mental status.”

Ajayi confirmed that although Walida has been released to the state government, the DSS and other agencies will remain involved. “We have the capacity to investigate the matter,” he said.

He also disclosed that Ifeanyi remains in custody and will face prosecution if found culpable. “He will face the music when found wanting. We have rules guiding our operations,” he said.

A representative of the NSCIA, Barrister Haroun Muhammad, noted that the council intervened to ease tensions. “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,” he said.