Jigawa: Protesters Demand Justice for Walida

Community Protests for Justice in Jigawa State

Residents of Hadejia Local Government Area in Jigawa State took to the streets on Tuesday to demand justice for Walida Abdulhadi, who was allegedly abducted by Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, a Department of State Services (DSS) officer. The protest was organized by various groups, including lawyers, women’s organizations, and civil society entities, who marched through parts of the town before presenting a formal petition at the palace of the Emir of Hadejia.

Dr. Hussaini Shehu, Chairman of the Hadejia Ina Mafita Initiative, led the demonstration. He stated that the community was dissatisfied with what they perceived as an alleged plan to release the suspect. Shehu emphasized that the group would continue to fight for justice until the matter is resolved according to the law.

“We are determined to ensure that the alleged offender is brought to justice. No one is above the law,” he said.

In response to the protest, the Secretary of the Hadejia Emirate Council, Abubakar Sulaiman, assured the protesters that the palace would monitor the issue closely and take appropriate action. This statement came from Alhaji Dr. Adamu Abubakar Maje, the Emir of Hadejia.

Barrister Kabiru Adamu, Walida’s lawyer, also addressed the gathering. He stated that the legal team would intensify efforts to ensure that the DSS officer involved faces the consequences of his alleged actions. According to Adamu, holding the suspect accountable would serve as a deterrent to others.

The lawyer also accused the Minister of Women Affairs and the DSS of distorting facts surrounding the case. He pointed out that some national newspapers and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) had published misleading reports claiming that Walida was 22 years old at the time of her abduction.

Adamu refuted this claim, stating that Walida was born in 2008, a year after her parents married in 2007. He argued that the minister’s statement misrepresented Walida’s identity and background.

According to him, Walida is currently 18 years old, and it is incorrect to suggest that she was 22 when the alleged abduction occurred.

On February 25, 2025, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State took custody of Walida Abdulhadi Ibrahim, who had been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS). She was allegedly abducted from Hadejia Local Government Area of Jigawa State by someone named Mariam, who later subjected her to sexual exploitation before she fled.

Walida eventually found herself in Abuja and later moved in with an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS), Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi.