Islamic Forum Demands Justice for Minor Allegedly Abused by DSS Operative
The Islamic Forum of Nigeria (IFN) has issued a scathing condemnation following reports that a minor, Walida Abdulhadi, was allegedly abducted, sexually abused, and forced into an illegal abortion by a Department of State Services (DSS) operative, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi.
In a statement released by Acting Executive Secretary Dalhatu Gwarzo, the Forum labeled the incident a “grave violation of fundamental human rights” that threatens Nigeria’s moral and legal integrity.
The group highlighted that the case isn’t just a criminal matter, it is a critical test of child protection laws and accountability within Nigeria’s security agencies.
A central theme of the Forum’s message was the perceived selective outrage from the media and the public.
They drew a sharp comparison to the 2016 Ese Oruru case, where Yunusa Dahiru (alias “Yellow”) was sentenced to 26 years in prison following massive media coverage and national outcry.
The IFN noted that while the Oruru case saw intense advocacy from civil society and religious bodies like the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the current allegations against Onyewuenyi have met a “disturbing silence.”
The Forum warned that unequal responses based on the religious identity of victims or perpetrators create a dangerous perception of biased justice, which could further polarize the country.
To ensure the case does not disappear from the public eye, the Islamic Forum of Nigeria laid out several high-priority demands.
These include a call for full DSS transparency to ensure the agency does not shield the suspect due to his official position, and the immediate criminal prosecution of Onyewuenyi for kidnapping, statutory rape, and the unlawful termination of a pregnancy.
The group also demanded judicial speed through an expedited trial and the immediate return of the minor to her parents’ custody. Finally, they urged the media to maintain sustained coverage and called on the Federal Government to protect the victim’s family from any potential intimidation by security forces.
“The Muslim community will continue to demand justice until it is served,” the statement concluded, adding that justice delayed or applied selectively amounts to oppression.