Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested one of its personnel, Mr. Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, in connection with the alleged abduction, sexual abuse, and forceful religious conversion of a 16-year-old girl, Walida Abdulhadi, from Jigawa State. The case has ignited public outrage, raising urgent questions about child protection, accountability in security agencies, and the abuse of authority by law enforcement personnel.
According to the petition filed by the girl’s family through Gamji Lawchain, an Abuja-based law firm, Walida disappeared from her home in Hadejia Local Government Area, Jigawa State, in November 2023. Her family reportedly spent more than two years searching for her, enduring severe emotional trauma, during which her mother reportedly died. On January 1, 2026, the father received shocking news that Walida had been in the custody of a DSS officer in Abuja, had been sexually exploited, and had given birth to a child.
The legal petition alleges that Onyewuenyi forcibly converted Walida from Islam to Christianity, ignoring parental consent, and kept her in a DSS residential facility in Abuja, effectively denying her family access to her. The petition describes these actions as “a profound abuse of office, a violation of statutory law protecting minors, and a moral outrage against both family and community.”
Following the petition, a magistrate court in Jigawa State issued an arrest warrant for Onyewuenyi and ordered his immediate apprehension. The court further mandated the release and reunification of Walida with her family, emphasizing the urgency of protecting the minor from continued harm.
In response to the arrest order and growing public concern, the DSS confirmed Onyewuenyi’s detention, stating that the agency is conducting a thorough investigation. In an official statement, Favour Dozie, the DSS Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, affirmed that the allegations — involving abduction, sexual exploitation of a minor, and forced religious conversion — are “serious breaches of law and DSS regulations,” and pledged full transparency as the investigation proceeds.
Human rights advocates and child protection organisations have condemned the alleged acts as egregious abuses of power. Legal experts note that any sexual relationship with a minor under Nigerian law constitutes statutory rape, while the forced conversion of a child without parental consent violates basic human and religious rights. Civil society groups are calling for swift and impartial prosecution, immediate protection and support for Walida and her child, and measures to ensure that such abuses do not recur within security agencies.
The case has prompted wider debate about accountability and oversight within Nigeria’s security institutions, with critics warning that failure to address abuses of authority undermines public trust and exposes citizens to grave risks. Rights advocates emphasise that the DSS must act decisively to demonstrate that no officer, regardless of position, is above the law.
As the investigation continues, the eyes of the nation remain on the DSS to ensure that justice is served, the victim and her child are safeguarded, and the integrity of state institutions is upheld. The outcome of this case is expected to set an important precedent for how allegations of abuse by state operatives are addressed in Nigeria.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments