Following an amicable resolution of the issues involved in the controversy surrounding Walida Abdulhadi Ibrahim, the Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday night handed over the woman to the Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi.
The handover which took place at the headquarters of the DSS in Abuja was confirmed in a statement by Hamisu Mohammed Gumel, Chief Press Secretary to the Jigawa Governor, who stated that all necessary documentation had been concluded, with arrangements being concluded to complete her transfer to the State.
Gumel said that the Jigawa State Government, under the leadership of Governor Umar Namadi, took custody of Walida Abdulhadi Ibrahim on Wednesday night, adding that all other arrangements are being finalised to ensure her full transfer into government care.
Gumel further said that the Jigawa State government has completed plans to get Walida admitted in a hospital for a comprehensive medical evaluation to ascertain her physical and psychological condition.
In the words of Gumel; “The government will also facilitate her return to school and assume full responsibility for her educational needs up to tertiary level to ensure her successful reintegration into society.
He further said the state will pursue and ensure justice accountability to its logical conclusion, adding that the the government will not rest on rest on its oars until those responsible for her abduction and subsequent assault are brought to justice.
According to him; “The Nigeria Police Force is also expected to take over the process of identifying and prosecuting the culprits to ensure justice is served”.
The controversy over Walida, a Muslim woman and her relationship with an operative of the DSS, Mr Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, a Christian man.
Already, the relationship between both has produced a baby and also claims that Walida had converted to Christianity.
While Walida’s family claimed that Onyewuenyi abducted her from her native Jigawa State, transported her to Abuja, converted her to Christianity, and impregnated her while she was still a minor, the lady in question gave a counter narrative to the story.
In a recent interview that Walida granted Weekend Trust, she pointedly disputed her family’s claims, stressing that she met Mr Onyewuenyi in Abuja after she was brought by a woman identified as Mariam.
Walida specifically said that she was neither abducted nor forcibly converted to Christianity by Onyewuenyi, stressing that she was already an adult when she relocated to Abuja in 2023.
One of the key points of dispute is Walida’s date of birth which her family claimed was in 2008, thus a minor when the events began in 2023. This claim, Walida vehemently disputed, saying that she was born in 2004 and was already 19 years old when she arrived in Abuja and later met Mr Onyewuenyi.
Walida further said that the matter escalated after she refused to return to her parents, alleging that her uncle had threatened to kill her for getting involved with a Christian man.
The DSS had explained that it was holding Walida and her baby for their safety, following her claim that her uncle issued death threats against her.
