CITAD calls for thorough investigation into Walida’s abduction case
By Editor 
The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) a Non-governmental Organisation (NGO), has called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance, alleged detention, and reported abuse of Walida Abdulhadi, young girl from Jigawa State.
Buhari Abba, Communications Officer, CITAD, stated this when he addressed newsmen on Statement Demanding Justice for Walida Abdulhadi and Accountability for Abuse of Power, by the Centre on Wednesday in Dutse.
Abba also called for immediate prosecution of the alleged perpetrator, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, for abduction and illegal detention of Walida, turning her into a sex slave without the consent of her parents.
“We also demand for a full inquiry into how a minor could allegedly be held within a federal security facility without detection or intervention.
“Immediate medical, psychological, and social support services for Walida to support her recovery and reintegration,” he said.
Abba said that the briefing was to draw the national attention to the disturbing case of the teenage girl who hailed from Hadejia in Jigawa State.
“We have called this press conference to draw national attention to the disturbing case of Walida Abdulhadi, a young girl from Hadejia in Jigawa State, who disappeared in November 2023 at the age of sixteen.
“Following her disappearance, her family undertook extensive efforts to locate her. They reported the matter to relevant authorities and conducted independent searches. For months, these efforts produced no information about her whereabouts.
“During this long period of uncertainty, the emotional and psychological burden on the family was immense. Walida’s mother died without knowing what had happened to her daughter.
“Nearly two years after her disappearance, new information emerged. On January 1, 2026, Walida’s father reportedly received a telephone call from an individual identifying himself as Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, who claimed to be a serving operative of the Department of State Services (DSS),” he said.
Abba said that during the conversation the caller stated that Walida was in his custody and had given birth to his child.
“During the conversation, the caller stated that Walida was in his custody, that she had given birth to his child, and that he intended to marry her.
“Subsequent reports have raised further concerns suggesting that Walida may have been kept within a DSS facility in Karmajiji in Abuja.
“If these allegations are confirmed, they represent serious violations of Nigerian law and international human rights standards. Possible offences include abduction, unlawful detention, sexual exploitation of a minor, and abuse of public office.
“If these allegations are confirmed, they represent extremely serious violations of Nigerian law and international human rights standards, including potential offences relating to abduction, unlawful detention, sexual exploitation of a minor, forced sexual encounters, and abuse of public office,” he said.
Abba added:”This matter goes beyond a private dispute. It concerns child protection, public accountability, and the rule of law.
“For several years, CITAD has worked across Northern Nigeria to address violence against women and girls. We see the case of Walida as falling to the core of our campaign issue under this project. In particular, we see in it both illegal detention and sexual exploitation of a girl, against which we have been vigorously campaigning through the Male Feminist Network (MFN) project, supported by Centre LSD and the Ford Foundation. Communities have been mobilized to challenge harmful norms and strengthen collective responsibility for the protection of women and girls.
“Among other interventions, these efforts directly inform our response to cases like Walida’s. CITAD has hosted nearly 40 episodes of the Hausa radio programme “Martabar Ya Mace,” which highlights real-life abuses, including unlawful detention and sexual exploitation, encouraging reporting and community action. The project has also trained over 600 male champions who act as first responders and advocates when girls like Walida face harm.
“In addition, CITAD’s engagement with traditional leaders, including five first-class Emirs, has focused on advocating for immediate protective measures in situations similar to Walida’s, ensuring community-level accountability. The GBV Reporting App, developed by the organization, has been instrumental in exposing abuses such as her unlawful detention, providing survivors and witnesses a secure and anonymous channel to report incidents.”
