Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
A family from Jigawa State has petitioned the Director-General of the Department of State Services over allegations of serious human-rights violations involving a serving officer of the agency, identified in the petition as Ifeanyi Festus. The petition, dated 4 January 2026, was submitted by Abuja-based legal firm Gamji Lawchain, led by Hussaini Sani, on behalf of Alhaji Abdulhadi Ibrahim and his family. It asks the DSS leadership to investigate claims relating to the disappearance of a minor and her alleged prolonged stay within a DSS residential facility.
According to the petition, the girl at the centre of the case, Walida Abdulhadi, is from Hadeja, Garko, Matoya in Jigawa State. The family states that she went missing more than two years ago, at a time when she was 16 years old. They explain that her disappearance prompted an extensive search that lasted several years, during which they were unable to establish her whereabouts or welfare.
The document alleges that information later made available to the family suggested that Walida had been taken to Abuja and lived within the DSS estate at Karmajiji for a prolonged period. The petition further claims that during this time she gave birth to a child and that her religious affiliation was changed without the involvement or consent of her parents. The family’s lawyers argue that, given her age at the time she went missing, these developments raise serious legal and human-rights concerns that warrant thorough investigation.
A significant part of the petition focuses on the circumstances under which the family says it eventually received information about Walida. It claims that when a family representative travelled to Abuja to seek clarification, he was taken to a DSS facility and informed that she had been residing within the estate. According to the petition, the family’s request for her release and reunion was not granted, a situation the lawyers argue raises questions about oversight and internal procedures.
The petition also describes the emotional impact of the prolonged uncertainty on the family. It states that the stress and distress associated with Walida’s disappearance caused severe psychological strain, and it alleges that her mother’s death was linked to the emotional toll of the ordeal. The family describes the experience as deeply traumatic and life-altering.
The case reportedly became clearer to the family in early January 2026, when Walida’s father received a phone call from a man who identified himself as the DSS officer named in the petition. According to the document, the caller informed him that Walida had been with him and that she had given birth to a child, asking the father to come to Abuja. The family says this disclosure came as a shock after years of uncertainty.
In legal terms, the petition asks the DSS to examine whether any laws relating to the protection of minors, personal liberty, freedom of religion and abuse of official authority may have been breached. It calls for an independent review of the matter, the protection of Walida and her child, and appropriate administrative or legal action where necessary. The family also seeks a clear institutional response from the DSS, saying this is important for public confidence and accountability.
As of the time of reporting, the Department of State Services has not issued a public statement on the petition, and there is no official confirmation that any investigation has commenced. The officer named in the petition has not been reported as charged or convicted, and all the issues raised remain allegations contained in a formal legal complaint.
The petition has reportedly been forwarded to senior government authorities, including the Presidency, as the family awaits an official response. Observers say the matter underscores broader concerns about child protection, due process and transparency, and they stress the importance of a careful, lawful and impartial review of the allegations.
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