Fresh controversy has trailed the case of Walida Abdulhadi, the Jigawa teenager allegedly abducted by an officer of the Department of State Services, as her family lawyer publicly disputed claims made by the Minister of Women Affairs and the agency regarding her age and the circumstances of her custody.
Truth Live News international had earlier reported that Walida was released to the Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, following a court order obtained by her family after months of public outcry.
However, during a press conference in Abuja, the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, stated that official verification from the National Population Commission showed Walida was 22 years old at the time she was declared missing.
“Verification of Walida’s birth records by the National Population Commission indicates that she is not a minor,” the minister said.
“She is 22 years old. By the provisions of the Child Rights Act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a child is defined as anyone under 18 years.”
She also dismissed allegations of abduction, insisting that the teenager’s stay in DSS custody was voluntary due to security threats. “Her continued stay in the DSS custody has been voluntary, following credible threats to her life,” she stated, adding that “her safety remains the overriding priority in all decisions concerning her.”
But the family’s lawyer, Kabiru Adamu, strongly rejected the minister’s position, describing it as inaccurate and misleading.
“We’re equally aware of the campaign and the erroneous news being circulated that they have verified the age of the victim to be 22 years. That is very unfortunate and incorrect,” Adamu said.
According to him, Walida was born in 2008 and her parents were married in 2007, making the minister’s calculation questionable. “So we’re wondering, where did the minister get the 22 years age figure?” he asked. “Even today, now Walida is 18 years old, talk less of that erroneous news of her being 22 years at the time of her abduction.”
Adamu further alleged that the suspect, identified as Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, admitted involvement in the abduction of Walida and six other girls. “He told Walida’s uncle that he did her a favour by picking her. She would have been dead by now. That was his statement,” the lawyer claimed.
He also demanded full compliance with the court’s directive ordering the production of the suspect. “Let this man face the full wrath of the law. Let him tell the world who the remaining six members are and the person behind the abduction,” Adamu said. “Our only concern is let the order of the court be obeyed.”
While acknowledging Walida’s release as a positive step, the lawyer maintained that justice has not yet been served. “This is not a case that can be swept under the carpet. Let justice be done,” he insisted. “We’ll not relent until justice is done.”
The case continues to generate widespread concern within Jigawa and beyond, with calls for a transparent investigation and clarity over the conflicting narratives surrounding Walida’s age and the circumstances of her disappearance.
