Father, Rights Groups Demand Justice as DSS Hands Over Walida to Jigawa Government

The father of Walida Ibrahim, the Jigawa State teenager whose disappearance in 2023 triggered nationwide controversy, has demanded justice following her transfer from the custody of the Department of State Services to the Jigawa State Government.

The Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications at the DSS National Headquarters in Abuja, Favour Dozie, confirmed that the handover took place at about 5:45 pm on February 26, 2026.

Walida, who was 16 at the time of her disappearance, was allegedly abducted from Hadejia, Jigawa State, in 2023.

According to her family, she was subjected to sexual abuse and forceful religious conversion by a DSS officer, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi.

A petition dated January 4, 2026, filed by Gamji Lawchain on behalf of the family, stated that the teenager’s prolonged absence and the uncertainty surrounding her whereabouts led to severe emotional trauma within the family, culminating in the death of her mother.

Speaking on Saturday, her father, Abdulhadi Ibrahim, expressed appreciation for public support and the intervention of Governor Umar Namadi, while insisting that justice must be served.

“I’m grateful for the support and concern shown by the public and still demand justice for my daughter,” he said.

Legal representative Kabiru Adamu also vowed to pursue accountability, stressing that the matter would be taken to its logical conclusion.

“We’ll pursue this case to the end. The law will take its course,” Adamu said.

He commended Governor Namadi’s intervention, describing the development as historic.

“This is a very memorable day and historic that Walida Abdulhadi has secured her freedom. We thank Governor Namadi for the quick and timely response he gave and the decisive actions he has taken. He’s taken the bull by the horns, travelling to Abuja to ensure the release of his citizen,” he said.

However, Adamu maintained that the release marked only the beginning of the justice process. He called on the governor to ensure compliance with the court order directing that the suspect be brought to Jigawa State and handed over to the police for investigation.

“The job did not stop there. We’re still calling on the Governor to move inches further to ensure compliance of the court order by bringing the suspect down to Jigawa State, handing him over to the police, and conducting a discreet investigation into this matter,” he added.

The leader of the Civil Society Coalition on Peace, Security and Conflict Resolution, Musbahu Basirka, also welcomed Walida’s release but demanded accountability.

“We demand justice for Walida. The DSS and government must ensure the perpetrator faces the law,” Basirka said, describing her return as a positive development capable of restoring public trust.

He praised Governor Namadi’s “prompt and strategic intervention,” but stressed that her release must not signal the end of the process.

“Her release must mark the beginning, not the end of the justice process. We call for accountability and fair proceedings,” he added, vowing that the coalition would continue advocacy efforts to ensure comprehensive and lawful justice.

The Jigawa State Government, through the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hadiza Abdulwab, confirmed that Walida is currently receiving care under the ministry’s supervision.

“We’re providing her with medical and psychological support. We urge the public to continue supporting us,” Abdulwab said, assuring that the government remains committed to holding those responsible accountable.

She added that the state would continue to collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure justice is served.

Walida’s release followed months of public outcry and a court order secured by her family’s legal team. Despite her return, the alleged DSS officer remains at large, intensifying calls for his arrest and compliance with the court’s directive that he be produced before the Jigawa State Commissioner of Police.

The development has sustained public scrutiny, with family members and advocacy groups insisting that full accountability must follow her release.