The Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed the arrest of one of its operatives, identified as Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, following grave allegations of abducting a teenage girl, forcefully converting her to Christianity, and marrying her without parental consent. The secret police broke their silence on Saturday regarding the case, which has sparked outrage in Jigawa State and beyond.
Okay News reports that the intervention follows a directive from a magistrate court in Hadejia, Jigawa State, ordering an investigation into the operative’s conduct. A petition filed by the legal group Gamji Lawchain, on behalf of the victim’s father, alleged that the officer abducted the girl, identified as Walida Abdulhadi (previously referred to as Walida Ibrahim), over two years ago.
The petition detailed a harrowing ordeal in which the girl was unlawfully detained, sexually exploited, and forced to convert from Islam to Christianity. It was further alleged that she gave birth to a child while still a minor.
The lawyers highlighted the devastating impact of the incident on the victim’s family, noting that the prolonged trauma contributed to the death of Walida’s mother.
In a statement issued by Favour Dozie, the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, the DSS clarified the identity of the suspect. While the initial petition named the operative as “Ifeanyi Festus,” the Service stated they had no record of such a name but confirmed the arrest of an active staff member named Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi.
“It is hereby confirmed that an active staff, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, who is suspected to have forcefully converted and married one Walida Abdulhadi, has been arrested and is currently being investigated,” the statement read. Dozie emphasized that such actions violate the agency’s code of conduct and assured the public that the outcome of the investigation would be disclosed.
