The Plateau State Youth Council (PYC) has voiced strong condemnation over the reported kidnapping and coercive religious conversion of a 17-year-old girl, Jinkai Yusuf Simon, allegedly by a Muslim man named Abdulsamad in Kaduna State. The council is urging state authorities to intervene and secure the minor’s immediate release.
In a statement issued on Monday, jointly signed by PYC Chairman Panan Gongden Dapar and Public Relations Officer Bahal Nanpyal Mark, the group detailed that the incident took place in Kuregu, Zaria, where the teenager, originally from Pankshin LGA of Plateau State, had been residing with her elder sister while attending St. Bartholomew’s Secondary School in Wusasa.
The PYC characterized the abduction as a clear case of child trafficking and called on both the Plateau and Kaduna state governments, along with security agencies, to do everything possible to rescue the girl, apprehend the perpetrators, and ensure they face justice.
According to the council, Jinkai left for school on an unspecified date and never returned. After days of searching, her school bag was discovered with a minor allegedly connected to a neighbor named Rukkaya. Initially denying knowledge of Jinkai’s whereabouts, Rukkaya later admitted the teenager had been in contact with a man identified as Abdulsamad.
The PYC revealed it had obtained disturbing photographic evidence showing the minor wearing a hijab alongside Rukkaya. Even more alarming, they claimed to have court affidavits from Kano State indicating that Jinkai’s name had been changed to “Aisha Sani” and “Aisha Abdulsamad,” with her age also falsified.
“The Plateau State Youth Council condemns the forceful abduction and religious coercion of a 17-year-old student, Miss Jinkai Yusuf Simon, and hereby calls for immediate intervention from security agencies to secure her release,” the statement read.
The council argued that this act violates several provisions of the 1999 Constitution, including Section 38 (freedom of religion), Section 34 (human dignity), and Section 35 (personal liberty), as well as Section 27 of the Child Rights Act 2003, which prohibits the unlawful removal of a child from parental custody.
“As a minor, Miss Jinkai cannot legally give informed consent. The Council is therefore demanding a thorough investigation by the Plateau and Kaduna State governments, the Department of State Services, NAPTIP, and the Nigeria Police Force to ensure her rescue, rehabilitation, and safe reunification with her family. We also call for the prompt identification, arrest, and prosecution of everyone involved because this case bears the clear markings of child trafficking, exploitation, and abuse,” the PYC added.
The council vowed to continue pursuing justice until Jinkai is safely returned to her family.