Allegations of abduction and forced conversion spark controversy over disappearance of Kaduna schoolgirl
A fresh controversy has emerged in Kaduna State following allegations that a 17-year-old Christian student, Jinkai Yusuf Simon, was abducted, forcibly converted to Islam, and later married in Kano State, with her family and community claiming that authorities have failed to act decisively on the matter.
Jinkai, a student of St. Bartholomew’s Secondary School in Wusasa, Zaria, was reported missing on March 9, 2026, after leaving home for school and not returning. Her family now believes her disappearance was not accidental but part of a coordinated plan.
According to her elder sister, Jennifer Yusuf Simon, suspicion deepened after a neighbour reportedly revealed that the girl’s belongings had been moved to another location belonging to a friend identified as Rukkaiya. When confronted, the friend allegedly denied any knowledge of the incident.
The family also stated that Jinkai had been in communication with a man identified as “Abdulsamad,” who allegedly provided conflicting identities when contacted. School authorities confirmed she was present on the day she disappeared, noting that she left after writing an examination and did not return to school.
Classmates were also reported to have said she had previously spoken about plans to travel to Kano to be with a Muslim boyfriend.
The matter was escalated by the family to religious and traditional leaders, including the Sarkin Wusasa in Zaria, who reportedly directed that efforts be made to locate the girl. The case was also reported to the Department of State Services (DSS), but the family says no concrete breakthrough has been achieved weeks after the report.
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Subsequently, the family claimed they were shown a photograph allegedly depicting Jinkai wearing a hijab, alongside documents said to have originated from Kano State indicating that her identity had been changed to “Aisha Sani” or “Aisha Abdulsamad.” The documents were also said to reflect a change in age and listed a Muslim guardian and husband, raising concerns from the family over possible coercion and identity alteration.
The Sarkin Wusasa confirmed that he alerted the DSS upon being informed of the situation, stating that no immediate action followed and that the family later saw images of the girl under a new identity.
The family’s pastor, Rev. Mohammed Mohammed, described the situation as involving the abduction of a minor, forced religious conversion, and child marriage. He called on security agencies and child protection bodies to intervene urgently to ensure the girl’s safety and investigate the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
He added that relevant authorities, including the DSS, police, child protection agencies, and human rights organisations, should act swiftly to establish the facts and secure the protection of the girl.
The family maintains that Jinkai is 17 years old, citing her birth certificate which indicates she was born on January 8, 2009, to Yusuf Simon and Yakubu Rhoda. They dispute any claim suggesting she is of legal age to consent to marriage or a change of identity.
Jennifer Yusuf Simon alleged that forged documents were produced to alter her sister’s age and consent status, claiming that her family names were also falsely included in court-related documents to suggest approval of the marriage.
She further stated that the family rejects any affidavit suggesting a change of identity or age, insisting that the documentation in their possession confirms her actual date of birth and parentage.
However, an affidavit of facts and declaration of age, reportedly sworn at the High Court Registry of the Kano State Judiciary on March 18, 2026, has surfaced. The document states that the individual formerly known as Jinkai Simon Yusuf now wishes to be known as Aisha Simon Yusuf, declaring herself an adult, Muslim, and claiming a different age and date of birth, while asserting that the affidavit was made for official purposes.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Auwal Ado, said he was out of town and requested time to verify the situation before issuing a response. No further clarification had been provided at the time of filing this report.
The case has also drawn comparisons to a separate incident involving Walida Abdulhadi Ibrahim in Jigawa State, where swift intervention followed allegations involving a DSS operative, leading to her release after public and institutional pressure.
Observers and rights advocates have pointed to differences in response between both cases, arguing that inconsistent handling of such sensitive matters raises concerns about accountability and equal protection under the law.
Human rights advocates are calling for an immediate, transparent investigation into Jinkai’s whereabouts and circumstances, alongside urgent efforts to ensure her safety and return.
