The Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed the detention of one of its officials, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, in Abuja, in connection with allegations surrounding a 16-year-old girl, Walida Abdulhadi.
The arrest resulted from a petition dated January 4, authored by Gamji Lawchain, an Abuja-based law firm, as supported by a document obtained by our reporter via X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.
A formal petition has been submitted to the Director-General of the Department of State Services, on behalf of Alhaji Abdulhadi Ibrahim and his family, alleging the abduction of the 16-year-old girl by a DSS officer from the Hadejia area of Jigawa State.
The law firm asserted that Walida was a minor at the time of her disappearance, rendering her legally incapable of providing consent to any sexual relationship under Nigerian law.
According to the petition, the family purportedly undertook an extensive two-year search for the girl, which unfortunately yielded no positive results, and it is reported that the prolonged period of emotional distress allegedly contributed to the mother's demise.
“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.
Notably, the petition highlighted a striking incident on January 1, where the DSS officer allegedly contacted the girl's father, apprising the family that their daughter had been in his custody all along, had delivered a child, and was now willing to marry him.
It was further stated that due to the father's advanced age and deteriorating health, Muhammad Badamasi Ibrahim was appointed as his representative to attend a meeting at a DSS facility in Abuja, where he was reportedly informed that Walida had been residing at a DSS residence throughout her disappearance.
Lawchain reports that the family's appeal for the girl's release was reportedly denied.
The counsel further alleged that while in the suspect's custody, Walida was reportedly converted from Islam to Christianity without her parents' consent and was subjected to alleged sexual exploitation that resulted in pregnancy and childbirth, all occurring while she was still a minor.
The law firm characterized the allegations as symptomatic of 'moral bankruptcy in uniform' and cautioned that inaction could potentially undermine public confidence in state institutions.
The law firm demanded the immediate suspension, arrest, and prosecution of the DSS officer, and further called for a comprehensive independent investigation into the Karmajiji DSS facility.
It also demanded the release and protection of Walida and her child, and disciplinary action against any DSS personnel found to be complicit.
The Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications at the Department of State Services, Favour Dozie, has confirmed the arrest of DSS officer Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi in relation to Walida's experience through a statement issued on Friday.
An investigation is currently underway, as stated by Dozie, regarding the officer's alleged involvement in the forceful conversion and marriage of Walida.
“The attention of the Department of State Services has been drawn to reports alleging involvement of a staff of DSS, one Ifeanyi Festus, in a case of abduction, defilement of a minor, and abuse of office, among other offences. For clarity, the Service has no record of the above-named in its employment.
“However, it is hereby confirmed that an active staff, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, who is suspected to have forcefully converted and married one Walida Abdulhadi ‘f’, has been arrested and is currently being investigated,” the statement said.
The DSS spokesperson reiterated that such actions contravened the agency's rules and established code of conduct, noting that the investigation's findings would be publicly disclosed.
