A High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the arrest of a Department of State Services (DSS) officer over allegations of unlawfully converting a 16-years-old Muslim girl to Christianity without the consent of her parents.

The order was issued on Tuesday by Justice (Name withheld) following an application filed by the parents of the minor, who accused the DSS operative of abduction, unlawful custody and religious coercion.

According to court documents, the minor was allegedly taken from her family residence and kept incommunicado before being converted to Christianity, an action the parents described as a gross violation of their child’s constitutional rights and religious freedom.

Counsel to the applicants told the court that the girl, who is legally a minor under Nigerian law, could not make such a decision without the express consent of her parents or guardians, stressing that any religious conversion carried out under such circumstances was null and void.

The lawyer further argued that the alleged actions of the DSS officer amounted to child abuse, unlawful detention and breach of fundamental human rights, contrary to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Child Rights Act.

In a ruling, the court ordered the immediate arrest and production of the DSS officer before the court to answer the allegations.

The judge also directed relevant security agencies to ensure the safety and welfare of the minor, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Additionally, the court granted an interim order restraining the DSS officer or any other person from further interfering with the child’s custody or religious upbringing, until the matter is fully resolved.

The case has drawn public attention, reigniting debates around religious freedom, child rights and the role of security agencies in private and family matters.

Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the Department of State Services were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report, as calls and messages sent to its spokesperson were not returned.

The matter was adjourned to a later date for further hearing.