Residents of Hadejia Local Government Area in Jigawa State staged a protest on Tuesday, calling on the authorities to ensure justice for Walida Abdulhadi, who was allegedly abducted by a DSS officer, Ifeanyi.
Leading the protest, the Chairman of the Hadejia Ina Mafita Initiative, Dr Hussaini Shehu, said the demonstration was aimed at registering the residents’ dismay over an alleged plan to free the suspect.
Others at the protest, including lawyers, women’s groups and civil society organisations, marched to the palace of the Emir of Hadejia, where a formal petition was submitted.
Dr Hussaini Shehu stated that the organisation would remain steadfast in ensuring that the alleged offender is brought to justice, emphasising that no one is above the law.
Speaking on behalf of the Emir of Hadejia, Alhaji Dr Adamu Abubakar Maje, CON, the Secretary of the Emirate Council, Abubakar Sulaiman, assured the community that the palace is committed to ensuring that the appropriate action is taken regarding the matter.
Also speaking, Walida’s lawyer, Barrister Kabiru Adamu, said they would intensify efforts to ensure that the DSS officer faces the consequences of his actions, to serve as a deterrent to others.
It was reported that the lawyer accused the Minister of Women Affairs and the DSS of distorting facts in the case of the abducted Jigawa girl.
According to him, “We are aware of misleading reports circulated in some national newspapers and aired on the NTA, attributed to the Minister of Women Affairs, claiming that the victim, Walida, was 22 years old at the time of her abduction,” Barrister Adamu said.
He described the claim as unfortunate and inaccurate, maintaining that Walida was born in 2008, a year after her parents got married in 2007.
The lawyer argued that the minister’s statement amounts to a misrepresentation of Walida’s identity and background.
He stressed that Walida is presently 18 years old, insisting that it is incorrect to state that she was 22 at the time of the incident.
Hadejia residents protest, demand justice for Walida
