Lawyer Challenges Minister on Age of Abducted Jigawa Girl

Walida Abdulhadi, a 16-year-old girl allegedly abducted, has had her age questioned by her lawyer, Barrister Adamu, in response to claims made by the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, who stated that Walida was 22 at the time of her abduction. The Department of State Services (DSS) has been accused of distorting facts regarding the case.

The Jigawa State government, led by Governor Umar Namadi, intervened following a court order for Walida's release. The lawyer emphasized that Walida was born in 2008, making her 16 years old, and dismissed the Minister's claims as incorrect.

The DSS confirmed that Walida was transferred to the Jigawa State government on February 26, 2026, following a joint investigative committee's findings. Barrister Adamu criticized the Minister's statements as misleading and called for clarity on the facts surrounding Walida's abduction, which he claims involved six other individuals.