Ibrahim Muhammad
The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has called for the immediate prosecution of a Department of State Services (DSS) operative, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, over allegations of abducting and illegally detaining a teenage girl from Jigawa State.
Sani Sa’idu Muhammad the project officer of CITAD Male Feminist Network, made the call on Tuesday, while briefing newsmen in Dutse.
The group said the case aligns with its ongoing campaign against violence and exploitation of women and girls under the Male Feminist Network (MFN) project.
CITAD described the allegations as grave violations of Nigerian laws and international human rights standards if proven, noting that they could amount to abduction, unlawful detention, sexual exploitation of a minor and abuse of public office.
According to him “This matter goes beyond a private dispute. It concerns child protection, public accountability and the rule of law,”
It however urged authorities to ensure justice for the girl, Walida Abdulhadi.
The group also compared the case with that of Yunusa Yellow, who was previously sentenced to prison for allegedly taking a girl from her home and claiming to have married her.
CITAD argued that both cases are materially similar and warned that treating them differently would undermine the principle of equality before the law.
Nigeria’s Child Rights Act 2003, the Criminal Code Act, the Penal Code and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 all criminalise acts such as kidnapping, unlawful detention and the exploitation of minors, the organisation added.
“CITAD calls on all relevant authorities to act and ensure justice for Walida Abdulhadi,” the group said.
CITAD urged the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, the National Human Rights Commission and other relevant agencies to actively intervene in the case.
It was reported that,Walida Abdulhadi was allegedly abducted by operative of DSS Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi.
CITAD however called for Walida’s immediate reunification of Walida with her family and demanded a thorough, transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and alleged detention.
Walida, who is from Hadejia in Jigawa State, went missing in November 2023 at the age of 16 and the situation led to her mother’s death before learning what had happened to her daughter.
