The Department of State Services (DSS) has officially launched an internal investigation into one of its active personnel over serious allegations of misconduct involving a forced religious conversion and marriage.
DSS Confirms Arrest and Ongoing Probe
In an official statement released on Friday, 10 January 2026, Nigeria's secret police confirmed that officer Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi is in custody and under investigation. The case centers on accusations that he forcefully converted and married a woman named Walida Abdulhadi.
The statement was issued by Favour Dozie, who serves as the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications at the DSS National Headquarters in Abuja. It was published on the agency's official website to address circulating reports.
Clarifying Misinformation and Separate Allegations
The DSS used the opportunity to firmly debunk other media reports linking its personnel to a different, more severe crime. The service clarified that reports alleging a DSS staffer named Ifeanyi Festus was involved in "abduction, defilement of a minor and abuse of office" are false.
"The Service has no record of the above named in its employment," the statement explicitly noted, distancing the agency from the individual named in those separate allegations.
Service Vows Transparency and Upholds Conduct Rules
Emphasizing its institutional integrity, the DSS stated unequivocally that the actions attributed to Onyewuenyi violate its core regulations and established code of conduct. Such behavior is deemed unacceptable for officers of the service.
In a move to ensure public accountability, the DSS pledged that the findings of the ongoing investigation will be made public. This promise underscores the service's stated commitment to transparency and disciplining any officer found guilty of breaching its rules.
The case has drawn significant public attention, highlighting the scrutiny under which Nigeria's security agencies operate regarding the conduct of their members.
