Context and Background
The case of Walida Abdullahi has been ongoing for over two years after she was reported missing at the age of 16 in Jigawa State’s Hadejia area.
Her family’s prolonged search ended in early January 2026 when the alleged perpetrator, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi — a Department of State Services officer — reportedly contacted Walida’s father to say she had been in his custody and was ready to marry him, according to the family’s petition.
A magistrate’s court issued a directive on January 7, 2026, calling for the arrest and investigation of Onyewuenyi and any other persons potentially involved in the alleged crimes. The legal action is part of ongoing efforts by the girl’s family and legal representatives to secure accountability and enforce court orders.
Key Details and Evidence
In a statement signed by NBA Dutse Publicity Secretary A.B. Umar, the association expressed shock and dismay at the claims, describing the alleged conduct of the DSS officer as an “appalling level of barbarism and a crass display of impunity.” Umar said the organisation expects a transparent, thorough, and impartial investigation to determine the suspect’s culpability and identify any accomplices.
The NBA noted that Walida’s disappearance reportedly caused severe emotional trauma to her family, including the death of her mother, underscoring the profound personal toll of the ordeal. The statement also cited alleged offences including abduction, unlawful detention, rape of a minor, abuse of office, and forced conversion and marriage.
Representatives of the NBA said they would monitor developments to ensure justice is delivered for Walida and her family, urging the public and authorities to remain calm and allow the judicial process to proceed.
Impact and Implications
The alleged case has drawn attention to broader issues of child protection, religious freedom, and institutional accountability in Nigeria’s security services. Legal and human rights advocates argue that the outcome of the investigation and subsequent judicial actions could set important precedents for how similar alleged abuses of power are handled.
Ensuring that law enforcement personnel are held to strict ethical and legal standards may bolster public confidence in state institutions.
For families and communities, the case underscores the vulnerability of minors and the need for robust safeguards and swift legal remedies when rights are allegedly violated.
The heightened public visibility and legal mobilization around Walida’s case may prompt renewed efforts by lawmakers, civil society groups, and religious organisations to advocate for stronger protective measures and clearer enforcement mechanisms.
The NBA’s demand for accountability in the alleged forced conversion and abuse of a Muslim teenager reflects deep legal and societal concerns. As investigations unfold and authorities respond to court orders, the case is likely to influence discourse on child protection, security sector reform, and religious rights.
For urban Nigerian communities and civil society organisations, this incident highlights the importance of legal advocacy, institutional transparency, and upholding constitutional protections for all citizens, especially minors at risk.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dutse branch, has called for urgent justice in a case involving a Department of State Services officer accused of abducting, raping, and forcing a 16‑year‑old Muslim girl, Walida Abdullahi, to convert to Christianity and marry him.
The matter has prompted a court order and sparked heightened legal and public scrutiny as the NBA presses for full compliance with directives to arrest and investigate the suspect. The controversy highlights concerns about abuse of office, protection of minors, and faith‑based rights in Nigeria.
The case of Walida Abdullahi has been ongoing for over two years after she was reported missing at the age of 16 in Jigawa State’s Hadejia area.
Her family’s prolonged search ended in early January 2026 when the alleged perpetrator, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi — a Department of State Services officer — reportedly contacted Walida’s father to say she had been in his custody and was ready to marry him, according to the family’s petition.
A magistrate’s court issued a directive on January 7, 2026, calling for the arrest and investigation of Onyewuenyi and any other persons potentially involved in the alleged crimes.
The legal action is part of ongoing efforts by the girl’s family and legal representatives to secure accountability and enforce court orders.
In a statement signed by NBA Dutse Publicity Secretary A.B. Umar, the association expressed shock and dismay at the claims, describing the alleged conduct of the DSS officer as an “appalling level of barbarism and a crass display of impunity.”
Umar said the organisation expects a transparent, thorough, and impartial investigation to determine the suspect’s culpability and identify any accomplices.
The NBA noted that Walida’s disappearance reportedly caused severe emotional trauma to her family, including the death of her mother, underscoring the profound personal toll of the ordeal.
The statement also cited alleged offences including abduction, unlawful detention, rape of a minor, abuse of office, and forced conversion and marriage.
Representatives of the NBA said they would monitor developments to ensure justice is delivered for Walida and her family, urging the public and authorities to remain calm and allow the judicial process to proceed.
The alleged case has drawn attention to broader issues of child protection, religious freedom, and institutional accountability in Nigeria’s security services. Legal and human rights advocates argue that the outcome of the investigation and subsequent judicial actions could set important precedents for how similar alleged abuses of power are handled.
Ensuring that law enforcement personnel are held to strict ethical and legal standards may bolster public confidence in state institutions.
For families and communities, the case underscores the vulnerability of minors and the need for robust safeguards and swift legal remedies when rights are allegedly violated.
The heightened public visibility and legal mobilization around Walida’s case may prompt renewed efforts by lawmakers, civil society groups, and religious organisations to advocate for stronger protective measures and clearer enforcement mechanisms.
The NBA’s demand for accountability in the alleged forced conversion and abuse of a Muslim teenager reflects deep legal and societal concerns. As investigations unfold and authorities respond to court orders, the case is likely to influence discourse on child protection, security sector reform, and religious rights.
For urban Nigerian communities and civil society organisations, this incident highlights the importance of legal advocacy, institutional transparency, and upholding constitutional protections for all citizens, especially minors at risk.
