The Department of State Services (DSS) has released Walida, a minor who was allegedly abducted and impregnated by Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, a serving operative, to Umar Namadi, Governor of Jigawa state.
Walida and her baby were handed to Namadi on Wednesday, 25 February, 2026, at the DSS headquarters in Abuja.
According to Daily Trust, the Jigawa Governor was accompanied to the DSS headquarters by government officials, including Haruna Aliyu, Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly; Bello Abdulkadir Fanini, Attorney General of the state; and Hajiya Hadiza Abdulwahab, state Commissioner for Women Affairs.
Others present were: Haroun Muhammad, Deputy National Legal Adviser of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA); officials of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA); and other civil society organisations.
However, Walida’s parents were not present at the handover, which lasted until around 10:40pm on Wednesday, 25 February, 2026.
Speaking at the DSS headquarters, the Jigawa Governor said Walida is a daughter of the state, adding that the government will take up the responsibility of ensuring her safety and full recovery.
The Governor said Walida would be in the custody of the state government, pending when all the issues surrounding her abduction are resolved.
Asked why her parents were not carried along, the Governor said, “taking her into our custody does not automatically mean that she will be taken back to Jigawa.
“Walida will be kept in Abuja for now. She will be provided with adequate security. Her case is a state matter and will be treated as such”.
Tosin Ajayi, DSS Director General, said the secret police kept Walida in custody since her recovery from Onyewuenyi in January 2026.
Ajayi said the DSS official involved in the case is currently in custody and that he will not be spared if found wanting.
“It is unfortunate that people don’t learn from history in Nigeria. Our major concern is about the safety and the future of Walida,” Ajayi said.
“She is a young woman who has the right to live, and we have the responsibility to ensure she is safe while the matter is being investigated.
“I invited the Governor, which is the right thing to do, and he has seen what we are doing. It is an inter-agency investigation, and we deliberately invited various groups to be part of what we are doing.”
In November 2023, Walida, who was 16 years old at the time, went missing in Hadejia, Jigawa state.
Family members made several efforts to find her.
Her sudden disappearance led to the death of her mother, who was said to have suffered psychological trauma as a consequence.
A twist occurred on January 1, 2026, when Abdulhadi Ibrahim, father of the girl, received a phone call from a DSS officer who was later identified as Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi.
During the phone conversation, the DSS officer was said to have informed Ibrahim that his daughter is currently with him and has given birth.
The DSS officer asked the girl’s father to “come to Abuja for discussions”, stating that he is “ready to marry her”.
Since the father could not make it to Abuja, he asked Muhammad Badamasi Ibrahim, a representative, to enquire about the whereabouts of his daughter in Abuja.
The representative claimed that the girl was allegedly living with the officer at a DSS facility in Karmajiji, Abuja.
The DSS officer was said to have converted Walida from Islam to Christianity.
Subsequently, lawyers at Gamji Lawchain sent a petition to the DSS, Inspector General of Police, and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
After the petition was submitted, the DSS arrested the officer over the allegations.
