DSS DG, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi hands over Walida Ibrahim to Jigawa state government

Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State on Wednesday night took custody of Walida Abdulhadi Ibrahim, the young woman whose disappearance since 2023 has stirred outrage, legal battles, and religious tension across Nigeria.

Walida had been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) prior to her formal handover at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, a process that lasted until about 10:40 p.m, according to Daily Trust.

The Director General of the DSS, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, alongside principal officers of the Service, formally handed Walida over to the governor in the presence of senior government officials, religious representatives, civil society actors, and members of the media.

However, notably absent from the event were Walida’s parents.

Addressing journalists shortly after the handover, Governor Namadi declared that the Jigawa State Government would take full responsibility for Walida’s welfare pending the resolution of the contentious legal and social issues surrounding her alleged abduction.

“Our concern is that Walida had been abducted,” the governor said firmly.

He added that the matter would be presented before a court of law for proper adjudication.

“It is a state matter and will be treated as such,” he stated.

Namadi emphasised that Walida would not immediately be returned to Jigawa State despite being placed under the state government’s custody.

“Taking her into our custody does not automatically mean that she will be taken back to Jigawa,” he explained.

“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.”

He further assured that the Jigawa State Government would ensure her safety and full psychological recovery.

“Walida is the daughter of Jigawa State, and the government will ensure her safety and full recovery from whatever trauma she might have passed through,” he said.

The governor also confirmed that the baby girl Walida delivered in November 2025, reportedly fathered by a DSS operative, identified as Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi (Festus) would equally be under the custody and protection of the Jigawa State Government.

On the controversy surrounding Walida’s age, Namadi said the matter would be resolved in court.

Walida was reportedly abducted from Hadejia Local Government Area of Jigawa State in 2023 by a woman identified as Mariam. According to accounts from her family, Mariam allegedly subjected her to sexual exploitation before fleeing.

Walida later resurfaced in Abuja and subsequently moved in with a DSS operative, Ifeanyi.

In November 2025, she gave birth to a baby girl.

Her disappearance had caused deep anguish within her family. In December 2025, her father reportedly received a call from Ifeanyi informing him that Walida was with him.

After repeated efforts by relatives to secure her release failed, her uncle petitioned the DSS headquarters in Abuja. The family also approached a court in Jigawa State, which directed that Walida be released to her parents.

However, the DSS filed a counter-motion, insisting that it was investigating the matter.

The controversy intensified following reports which triggered widespread public concern over her continued stay in DSS custody.

Religious and civil society groups raised questions about alleged abduction, conversion to Christianity, and custodial arrangements.

On Monday, a coalition comprising the Abuja chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), the Muslim Students’ Organisation of Nigeria (MSO), and Women in Da’awa addressed a world press conference in Abuja.

The coalition demanded that Walida be transferred to a neutral ground.

Speaking on behalf of the Concerned Coalition for Walida Abdulhadi, Ustaz Yunus Salahudeen said the issue transcends religious lines.

“The matter goes beyond religion and touches on broader issues of justice, constitutional order, and human rights,” he said.

He revealed that Walida’s disappearance plunged her family into “unimaginable distress” for more than two years.

“Her father, overwhelmed by uncertainty, performed funeral rites believing his daughter was dead,” he disclosed.

The coalition warned that the situation was capable of deepening already fragile religious divisions in the country.

Responding to criticism over the Service’s decision to retain Walida in custody since her recovery from Ifeanyi in January 2026, DSS Director General Ajayi insisted that the agency acted strictly within the law.

“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.”

Ajayi stated that he personally invited Governor Namadi to observe the process.

“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.”

He further disclosed that the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) had been invited to assess Walida’s mental state.

Although Walida has now been handed over, Ajayi said the DSS, police, Civil Defence, FIDA, and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs would continue to be involved.

“We have the capacity to investigate the matter,” he stated.

Ajayi recalled that he was the DSS State Director in Bayelsa during the controversial abduction case involving Ese Oruru.

He lamented that some unpatriotic Nigerians used that episode to inflame sentiments.

In a stern warning, Ajayi confirmed that DSS operative Ifeanyi remains in custody and would face consequences if found culpable.

“He will face the music when found wanting. We have rules guiding our operations,” Ajayi declared.

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), represented by its Deputy National Legal Adviser, Barrister Haroun Muhammad, said the Council intervened to de-escalate tensions.

“The matter is capable of throwing the country into chaos. It can deepen the unfortunate existing division between Muslims andj Christians, and whatever happened here today will send the right or wrong signal to society,” Muhammad warned. [Daily Trust, et al]