* Acts are against our regulations and code of conduct: DSS
* MURIC demands justice, says it’s ‘terrorism in uniform’
The Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed the arrest and detention of one of its operatives, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, over allegations of abducting, defiling, and forcefully converting a 16-year-old Muslim girl, Walida Abdulhadi, to Christianity.
The confirmation followed public outrage and legal action after a Magistrate Court in Hadejia, Jigawa State, ordered the arrest and investigation of the operative over allegations of abduction, unlawful detention, sexual exploitation, and abuse of office.
Reacting in a statement issued on January 9, 2026, the DSS, through its Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Dr. Favour Dozie, clarified that the officer named Ifeanyi Festus in an earlier petition is not a staff member of the Service. 
“The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to reports alleging the involvement of a staff of the DSS, one Ifeanyi Festus, in a case of abduction, defilement of a minor and abuse of office,” the statement read.
“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 (female), has been arrested and is currently being investigated.”
The DSS stressed that such acts are against its regulations and code of conduct, adding that the outcome of the investigation would be made public.
The case arose from a petition dated January 4, 2026, written by Gamji Lawchain, an Abuja-based law firm, on behalf of Walida’s father. 
The petition alleged that the DSS operative abducted the girl over two years ago, unlawfully detained her at a DSS facility in Karmajji, sexually abused her, and forced her conversion from Islam to Christianity without parental consent.
The petition further alleged that Walida gave birth while still underage and described the incident as a gross abuse of power. The lawyers demanded the immediate suspension, arrest, and prosecution of the operative, as well as an independent investigation into the DSS facility involved.
They also highlighted the severe psychological trauma suffered by Walida’s family, noting that the prolonged distress allegedly contributed to the death of her mother.
Meanwhile, a faith-based human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has demanded justice for Walida and her parents, calling for the full prosecution of the suspect.
In a statement issued on Saturday, January 10, 2026, and signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC commended the DSS for taking prompt action but warned against sweeping the case under the carpet.
#DoubleStandard: Where Is #JusticeForWalida? #Thread
In 2016, when Yunusa Dahiru allegedly abducted & married #EseOruru, the Nigerian media went into a frenzy. The Punch led the #FreeEse campaign with the headline: ‘Kano Man Abducts 14-Year-Old Bayelsa Girl, Forcefully Married.’ pic.twitter.com/DAcUgSNSKR
— Muslim News Nigeria (@muslimnews_NG) January 11, 2026
“This is atrocious, egregious and preposterous. It is terrorism in uniform,” MURIC said.
“The suspect does not deserve to wear the uniform of a highly respected and prestigious security agency like the DSS. He should be put away for a long, long time.”
The group added that while the DSS is generally made up of disciplined and decent officers, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi represents a “black sheep” whose prosecution must be pursued to its logical conclusion.
“We will not rest until justice is not only done but seen to have been done,” the statement added.
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