Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has taken custody of Walida Abdulhadi Ibrahim, a young girl who had been missing since 2023 and was recently released from the Department of State Services (DSS), pledged that justice will be pursued over the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
The governor received Walida from DSS authorities in Abuja alongside government officials, civil society organisations and media representatives. Her parents, however, were absent during the handover ceremony.
Walida was reportedly abducted in 2023 by a woman identified as Mariam and allegedly subjected to exploitation before she was later taken in by a DSS operative, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi. During the period, she reportedly gave birth to a baby girl in November 2025.
Attempts by her relatives to secure her release were initially unsuccessful until legal interventions eventually facilitated her freedom from DSS custody.
Governor Namadi stated that the safety and welfare of the teenager remain a priority for the Jigawa State Government, noting that she would remain under state protection in Abuja pending the conclusion of ongoing legal processes.
The Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, confirmed that the operative linked to the case remains in custody as investigations continue.
Also reacting to the development, Barrister Haroun Muhammad of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs cautioned that the matter could generate social tension if not properly handled, urging authorities to ensure justice is served.
Governor Namadi reaffirmed that the Jigawa State Government would closely monitor the case to ensure accountability for all individuals involved in Walida’s alleged abduction and exploitation.
