January 29, 2026
By Editor
The Islamic Forum of Nigeria (IFN) has strongly condemned the alleged abduction, sexual abuse, forced religious conversion, and illegal abortion of a minor, Walida Abdulhadi. These acts are reportedly perpetrated by Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS).
In a statement signed by its Acting Executive Secretary, Dalhatu Gwarzo, the Forum labeled the incident a โgrave violation of fundamental human rightsโ and an assault on the moral and legal foundations of the country. They emphasized that this case transcends criminality, addressing child protection, religious freedom, and accountability within security institutions.
The Forum also expressed concern over perceived selective public outrage, contrasting the reactions to Walidaโs case with the highly publicized Ese Oruru case involving Yunusa Dahiru, known as โYellow.โ They noted that the earlier case garnered significant media coverage and public condemnation, resulting in a 26-year prison sentence for the perpetrator.
โThe silence surrounding the alleged abuse of Walida Abdulhadi is disturbing,โ the statement asserted, questioning the lack of media attention and condemnation from major religious bodies, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
The Forum warned that unequal responses to similar cases could create the impression that justice in Nigeria is influenced by the religious identities of victims and perpetrators, potentially deepening social divisions.
They made several demands, including a call for the DSS to ensure full transparency in its investigation and to avoid protecting the suspect due to his official status. They insisted that he must face prosecution for alleged offenses, including kidnapping, statutory rape, and unlawful termination of pregnancy.
The group urged the judiciary to expedite an open trial similar to past child abuse cases and called for compliance with court directives, including the immediate return of the minor to her parents.
Furthermore, the Forum appealed to the Nigerian media for comprehensive and sustained coverage of the case, in line with ethical standards and past precedents. They also called on the Federal Government to guarantee the safety of the victim and her family, warning against any intimidation by security agencies.
โThe Muslim community will continue to demand justice until it is served,โ the statement concluded, asserting that justice delayed or selectively applied amounts to oppression.
