01/03/2026
JUSTICE FOR OUR DAUGHTER: An Open Letter to Governor Malam Umar A. Namadi on the Abduction and Assault of a Minor in Jigawa State
---
His Excellency, Malam Umar A. Namadi, FCA
Executive Governor of Jigawa State
Government House, Dutse
Jigawa State
Your Excellency,
I write to you not just as a concerned citizen, but as one who believes in the promise of your leadership—a promise rooted in your reputation as "a repository of humility and trustworthiness," a man known for your "unflinching desire to support and uplift the lives of ordinary people" .
But today, the ordinary people of Jigawa are crying out. And we need you to hear us.
A Crime That Shocks the Conscience
There is a case that has come to our attention—one that cuts to the very soul of our humanity. A young girl, a child of Jigawa, was kidnapped. In the hands of her captors, she was subjected to the most brutal violation: r**e. And as if to compound this evil, she was forced to convert to Christianity against her will .
Your Excellency, this is not merely a crime. This is an assault on everything we hold dear—our faith, our children, our future.
The Ministry of Justice, under Attorney-General Bello Abdulkadir Fanini, exists to ensure "justice for all citizens consistent with the ideals of democracy and the rule of law" . But justice does not happen by itself. It requires leadership. It requires a Governor who will say, "This stops here. This stops now."
Why This Demands Your Personal Attention
You are a man who rose from Kafin-Hausa, who started as a primary school teacher, who built the first educational foundation in your community to sponsor the education of thousands of less privileged youths . You understand, better than most, that the most vulnerable among us are the ones who need protection most.
This girl is one of those vulnerable ones.
The Ministry of Women Affairs exists to handle cases like this . The Ministry of Justice has the legal machinery to prosecute the perpetrators . The Ministry of Information has the power to amplify this matter and ensure it is not swept under the rug .
But these ministries need your voice, Your Excellency. They need your directive. They need to know that the Governor is watching, that the Governor cares, and that the Governor will accept nothing less than full accountability.
What Justice Must Look Like
We are not asking for vengeance. We are asking for the rightful protection of a child of Jigawa:
1. A full and transparent investigation into the kidnapping, the r**e, and the forced conversion. Every perpetrator must be identified.
2. Swift prosecution of all involved. The Ministry of Justice must treat this as the priority case it is .
3. Comprehensive support for the survivor—medical care, psychological counseling, and protection from any further harm or intimidation. The Ministry of Women Affairs must be fully mobilized .
4. A clear public statement from your office affirming that Jigawa State will not tolerate such crimes, and that the full weight of government will be brought to bear on those who commit them.
---
The Eyes of the Nation Are Upon You
Your Excellency, the world is watching. Nigeria is watching. And the people of Jigawa—especially our daughters, our mothers, our sisters—are watching most of all.
They want to know: Does our Governor stand with the vulnerable, or with the powerful? Does he protect our children, or does he look away?
Your own biography tells us that you are a man of "incorruptible, honest, and hardworking" character . That you have "an unblemished record of service and devotion to your community" . That your primary motivation for entering politics was "concerns for the betterment of his people's lives" .
Now is the moment to prove it.
Our Call to Action
We call upon you, Malam Umar A. Namadi, to:
· Direct the Commissioner of Police to assign top investigators to this case immediately.
· Instruct the Attorney-General to personally oversee the prosecution and ensure no political or other interference .
· Mandate the Commissioner of Women Affairs to provide immediate care and long-term support for the survivor .
· Use the Ministry of Information to keep the public informed, demonstrating transparency and accountability .
A Final Word
Your Excellency, imagine for a moment that this girl was your own daughter. Imagine the rage, the grief, the desperate need for justice you would feel. That is what a family in Jigawa is feeling right now. That is what a community is feeling.
Do not let them feel abandoned.
You have the power to bring light into this darkness. You have the authority to ensure that justice is not just a word on a ministry website, but a living reality for every citizen of Jigawa .
We are watching. We are waiting. And we are praying that you will rise to this moment.
Justice for our daughter. Justice for Jigawa.
Share this letter. Amplify this voice. Demand justice.
By Concerned Nigerian AREWA MONITOR
