- DSS arrests officer accused of rape and forced religious conversion.
- Victim allegedly abducted at 16 from Jigawa State.
- Family says she was hidden for over two years inside Abuja.
- DSS confirms investigation and promises public outcome.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed the arrest of its officer, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, in connection with allegations that he abducted and sexually abused a 16-year-old Muslim girl, Walida Abdulhadi, before allegedly converting her to Christianity without her family’s consent.
The arrest followed a January 4 petition submitted by Gamji Lawchain, an Abuja-based law firm, acting on behalf of Walida’s father, Abdulhadi Ibrahim.
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According to the petition, Walida was allegedly taken from Hadejia, Jigawa State, while still a minor and transported to Abuja, where she reportedly remained missing for more than two years.
The family said repeated efforts to locate her failed, and the prolonged emotional distress allegedly led to the death of her mother.
“The anxiety, fear and emotional devastation of losing their underage daughter slowly destroyed the mother, who eventually died as a direct consequence of the psychological trauma,” the petition stated.
The case reportedly took a shocking turn on January 1, when the suspect allegedly contacted Walida’s father, informing him that the girl had been living with him, had given birth to a child, and that he intended to marry her.
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Due to age and ill health, the father sent a representative to Abuja, where he was allegedly told that Walida had been living inside a DSS residential facility throughout her disappearance.
The law firm further alleged that Walida was forcefully converted from Islam to Christianity, sexually exploited while underage, and denied release when her family demanded access.
Describing the allegations as “moral bankruptcy in uniform,” the lawyers demanded the officer’s suspension, prosecution, and an independent probe of the Karmajiji DSS facility.
Confirming the arrest, DSS spokesperson Favour Dozie said the Service had taken action against the suspect and commenced an investigation.
“It is hereby confirmed that an active staff, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, suspected of forcefully converting and marrying one Walida Abdulhadi, has been arrested and is currently under investigation,” Dozie said.
He added that the alleged actions violate DSS rules and assured Nigerians that the findings of the investigation would be made public.
