A civil rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately comply with a court order directing the release of a Jigawa State minor, Walida Abdulhadi, currently under the agency’s protective custody in Abuja.
The group also urged the Nigeria Police Force to arrest and prosecute a DSS operative, Mr Ifeanyi Festus, who is alleged to have abducted and sexually assaulted the minor.
The demands were contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Kano State Chairman of MURIC, Malam Hassan Sani Indabawa.
According to the organisation, a court of competent jurisdiction on January 7, 2026 ordered the DSS to reunite the girl with her parents in Hadejia, Jigawa State, while also directing the Commissioner of Police in Jigawa State and other relevant security authorities to arrest the accused and commence a discreet investigation into the matter.
MURIC alleged that despite the court’s directives, the orders have yet to be executed, expressing concern that the delay could undermine public confidence in law enforcement institutions.
The group further alleged that the DSS operative is facing charges relating to the abduction of a minor, repeated sexual assault, and forced religious conversion, claims it said resulted in severe trauma for the victim’s family.
While acknowledging recent reforms and human rights–focused initiatives attributed to the Director-General of the DSS, Mr Oluwatosin Ajayi, MURIC said it found the agency’s alleged failure to comply with the court order “perplexing and inexplicable.”
The organisation noted that the DSS leadership had recently received public commendation following an administrative review that led to apologies and compensation for previously wrongfully detained individuals, adding that compliance with judicial pronouncements would further strengthen institutional credibility.
MURIC also expressed concern over growing public debate surrounding the case on social media, warning that prolonged delays could heighten religious tensions and erode trust in security agencies.
The group maintained that the girl’s age had been established through a birth certificate and parental testimony, insisting she remained a minor under Nigerian law at the time of the alleged incident.
Citing provisions of the Child Rights Act and relevant constitutional protections, MURIC argued that the minor should be reunited with her parents while legal proceedings continue against the accused.
The organisation therefore called on the DSS to obey the court order without delay and allow the judicial process to determine the outcome of the case, stressing that adherence to the rule of law remained essential to maintaining public confidence and institutional integrity.
As of the time of filing this report, the DSS and the Nigeria Police Force had not issued official responses to the allegations.
