Abuja was gripped by high drama on Thursday as the Federal Government moved to douse weeks of swirling controversy over Walida Abdulhadi, the young woman at the heart of a storm involving alleged abduction claims, a relationship with an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the birth of a baby girl.
In a decisive intervention, Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, declared that the National Population Commission (NPC) has officially verified Walida’s age as 22 – a revelation that could dramatically shift the legal narrative.
The minister spoke shortly after a closed-door meeting with Walida at the DSS headquarters in Abuja, amid unverified reports that she and her newborn were released Wednesday night to the custody of Umar Namadi, Governor of Jigawa State.
It has now emerged that the DSS did not release the young lady to the state government officials, because her consent as an adult is required.
For days, public discourse had been dominated by claims that Walida was a minor – an allegation that, if true, would have triggered serious implications under Nigeria’s Child Rights framework. But the minister was unequivocal.
“Walida’s age has been officially verified by the National Population Commission; she is 22 years old,” she said.
Under Nigeria’s Child Rights Act – domesticated in many states following its passage in 2003 – a child is defined as anyone under 18. By confirming Walida is above that threshold, the government appears to be drawing a legal line under the most explosive accusation in the case.
Perhaps more startling was the minister’s assertion that Walida’s stay in DSS custody was voluntary.
According to Sulaiman-Ibrahim, credible threats to Walida’s life necessitated protective measures. “Her safety remains the overriding priority,” she stressed, adding that the Nigerian Medical Association had independently assessed Walida’s health and confirmed she was being properly cared for.
The DSS – Nigeria’s domestic intelligence agency – has not publicly detailed the identity of the operative alleged to be involved, nor the circumstances surrounding their relationship. However, insiders suggest that internal administrative processes are ongoing.
The minister anchored the government’s actions within the policy direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, referencing his “Renewed Hope Agenda” and reaffirming commitment to rule of law and citizens’ rights.
“The Federal Government remains fully committed to justice, fairness, and the protection of all citizens, especially women and vulnerable persons,” she declared.
Her remarks come amid heightened public scrutiny of security agencies and growing calls from civil society groups for transparency.
The Walida saga has ignited fierce debate across social media and advocacy circles – raising thorny questions about consent, power imbalance, security agency oversight, and the protection of women in high-profile cases.
Women’s rights groups have urged authorities to ensure that any investigation is transparent and victim-sensitive. Meanwhile, legal analysts note that now the age issue appears settled, attention may shift to whether any abuse of office, misconduct, or ethical violations occurred.
The minister pledged that investigations would be concluded strictly within Nigerian law, with findings guiding any legal or administrative consequences.
“The coordinated efforts of the DSS, Walida’s family, civil society partners, and independent experts have been fully documented,” she said, emphasizing that the singular focus remains Walida’s safety, wellbeing, and dignity.
As the dust begins to settle on the age controversy, Nigerians now await the next chapter in a saga that has gripped the nation — one that blends power, politics, security intrigue, and the deeply personal story of a young mother and her newborn child.
