The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dutse branch, has called for urgent justice following revelations that a Department of State Services (DSS) officer allegedly abducted, raped, and forced a 16‑year‑old Muslim girl, Miss Walida Abdullahi, to convert to Christianity and marry him, the association said in a statement on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
The matter came to light after the victim’s family reported her missing more than two years ago, prompting extensive searches that yielded no results, the NBA said.
Recent disclosures by the girl’s family revealed that the suspect, identified as DSS officer Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, allegedly contacted her father, Abdulhadi Ibrahim, in January 2026 admitting he had held the girl in his custody and had directed the father to Abuja for their marriage.
In its statement signed by the branch’s Publicity Secretary, A.B. Umar, the NBA described the allegations as an “appalling level of barbarism and a crass display of impunity.”
The association said the alleged offences include abduction, unlawful detention, rape of a minor, abuse of office, and forced conversion and marriage.
Umar said a court order dated January 7, 2026, directed the Commissioner of Police and the DSS to arrest and investigate Onyewuenyi, and the NBA has urged that the order be fully enforced as investigations continue.
“We demand a swift, transparent, thorough, and impartial investigation to ascertain the culpability of the suspect and any other persons who may be complicit in this egregious case,” Umar said.
According to the association, Walida went missing at age 16 and, while under the suspect’s custody, was reportedly converted from Islam to Christianity without her parents’ consent and gave birth to a child as a result of alleged sexual abuse.
The prolonged disappearance reportedly contributed to the death of her mother due to emotional trauma.
The NBA said it has noted reports that Onyewuenyi was arrested by the DSS, and it is pressing for full compliance with the court directive and transparency in the investigation process. The association pledged to monitor developments closely to ensure justice is served for the victim and her family.
The NBA also urged the public and all parties involved to remain calm and law‑abiding as the judicial and investigative processes proceed, reiterating the need for accountability and rule‑of‑law adherence.
The case underscores broader concerns about child protection and abuse of authority, especially where vulnerable minors are involved, and highlights the role of legal institutions in upholding justice and human rights in Nigeria.
