Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Bauchi State Police Command has issued a fresh order directing representatives of The Gospel of Christ Must Be Preached International Ministry, popularly known as Bishara Dole, to return to its headquarters on Thursday with 16-year-old Jennifer Joseph and her biological parents, following a dramatic new twist in the controversial custody and religious identity case that has gripped the state for weeks. The latest directive comes barely two days after the police released Jennifer to her parents, seemingly bringing an end to a bitter dispute involving competing religious claims, parental rights, and the authority of law enforcement.
The fresh order was triggered by a video in which Jennifer reportedly said she was coerced while in the custody of an Islamic Da’awah group to make allegations against Bishara Dole and its officials. Jennifer had earlier made allegations against the Christian ministry in a viral video circulated by Islamic cleric Adam Ashaka and repeated some of the claims during a meeting last Sunday at the office of the Bauchi State Police spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib. However, following her release to her biological parents on Monday, August 24, 2026, Jennifer reportedly absolved Bishara Dole founder, Rev. Mohammed Mohammed, of allegations of child molestation, saying she had initially been coerced to make statements against the ministry. She also retracted her earlier allegation against Rev. Badamasi, a Bishara Dole official who remains in police custody over the claim that he molested her while travelling with her from Adamawa State to Bauchi.
In the fresh video, Jennifer reportedly described the allegations she previously made against Bishara Dole officials as lies and said she had been pressured to make them. The development has prompted the police to direct representatives of the ministry to return with Jennifer and her parents for another appearance at the command. The dispute became public after Jennifer’s mother, Saratu Daniel, from Ganye Local Government Area of Adamawa State, appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the Bauchi State Government for intervention over what she described as the alleged abduction and forced Islamisation of her 16-year-old daughter.
Saratu alleged that Jennifer had been introduced to Islam during a family visit and that, after learning of the development, she took her daughter to Bishara Dole in Bauchi for assistance. She subsequently alleged that a man identified as Abubakar, whom she said had presented himself at the Christian facility as a convert undergoing classes, removed Jennifer from the centre and took her to an Islamic Da’awah group without the family's consent. The mother said she reported the matter to the Bauchi State Police Command and was initially informed that she could take her daughter home, but alleged that the arrangement later changed.
According to an account previously reported by SaharaReporters, the Bauchi Commissioner of Police reviewed the case and directed that Jennifer be released to her parents. An Assistant Commissioner of Police was reportedly instructed to facilitate the handover. However, the proposed release was halted after representatives of the Da’awah group objected, citing concerns over the teenager's welfare. The police subsequently placed Jennifer temporarily under the Bauchi State Agency for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (BASOVCA), pending further deliberations.
The matter took another turn on Sunday, August 23, when representatives of Jennifer's parents, Bishara Dole, and the Da’awah group met at the Bauchi State Police Command. Bishara Dole alleged that Jennifer was taken to an undisclosed location for about an hour before she was brought into the meeting and subsequently asked to choose between her parents and the Da’awah group. The ministry said Jennifer chose the Da’awah group, raising questions about whether a 16-year-old minor should have been placed in such a position during a disputed custody case. The police, however, denied the allegation that Jennifer was asked to choose between her parents and the Da’awah group.
Rev. Mohammed Mohammed, founder of Bishara Dole, confirmed the incident at the time and called for an independent investigation into how Jennifer left the facility and subsequently came under the control of the Da’awah group. He also rejected allegations of child molestation made against the ministry, describing them as serious claims that should be independently investigated. The controversy has also drawn attention to the continued detention of Rev. Badamasi over the earlier molestation allegation. Bishara Dole has rejected the allegation and called for an independent investigation.
Police spokesperson SP Nafiu Habib has also previously disputed some claims concerning how Jennifer was treated during meetings with the various parties. As the investigation continues, the fresh police invitation means Jennifer and her parents are expected to appear again before the command alongside representatives of the ministry. The police have not publicly established the truth of the conflicting allegations, and several claims surrounding the case remain disputed. The latest development has reopened a case that appeared to have reached a temporary resolution after Jennifer was returned to her parents.
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