DSS Hands Over Walida to Jigawa Governor

The Department of State Services has released Walida Abdulhadi Ibrahim, transferring her to the custody of the Jigawa State Government amid ongoing investigations into the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.

Walida was formally handed over on Wednesday at the DSS headquarters in Abuja to Umar Namadi, who personally received her.

Walida had reportedly gone missing from Hadejia Local Government Area of Jigawa State in 2023 before she was later traced to Abuja. The case sparked controversy after reports emerged that she had been staying with a DSS operative, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, and subsequently gave birth to a baby girl in November 2025.

The DSS had maintained that Walida was kept in protective custody while investigations into allegations of abduction and related claims were ongoing. The agency’s Director-General, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, had said the decision was taken in the interest of her safety and to ensure due process.

The operative linked to the matter remains in detention pending the outcome of investigations. Speaking at the DSS headquarters during the handover, Governor Namadi assured that Walida would remain under the custody of the Jigawa State Government until all contentious issues surrounding her alleged abduction are resolved. Our concern is that Walida had been abducted,” the governor said, noting that the matter would be taken before a court of law for proper adjudication. It is a state matter and will be treated as such,” he added.

The governor further disclosed that the baby girl delivered by Walida would also remain under the custody of the Jigawa State Government.