Alleged Abduction, Forced Islamisation of Miss Nancy Sparks Concerns in Adamawa State

By Tgnews Reporter

A disturbing case involving the disappearance of Miss Nancy Ishaya, a young woman from Numan, has raised serious allegations of abduction, coercion, and forced religious conversion, with Mallam Adamu Garba named as the prime suspect.

Miss Nancy Ishaya, the eldest daughter of Mr. Ishaya Ishaku and Mrs. Mary Ishaya both employees at the Dangote Savannah Sugar Refinery in Numan went missing in late November 2025.

She had left home on November 17, 2025, to complete her registration at Adamawa State University (ADSU) in Mubi after gaining provisional admission. Her last known communication was with her mother on November 26, 2025, when she said she would return home that day. Since then, she has been unreachable.

The family identifies Mallam Adamu Garba, a truck driver at the same refinery and a neighbor in the staff quarters, as the primary suspect. Reports indicate that prior to her disappearance, Mallam Garba had approached Nancy’s uncle expressing interest in marrying her, despite a significant age difference.

The family rejected the proposal, and Nancy reportedly rebuffed his advances.

Key evidence cited by the family includes Nancy’s wrapper and mobile phone found abandoned in front of their home three days after she went missing. Phone records showed multiple calls from Mallam Garba, though most data had been deleted. The case was reported to the Savannah Police Station, but the family claims little progress has been made.

Further developments include claims from the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) in Niger State that Nancy was in their custody and had converted to Islam.

On February 2, 2026, Mallam Garba allegedly allowed Nancy’s mother a brief phone call with her daughter, during which Nancy seemed unable to speak freely and ended the conversation abruptly, heightening fears for her safety.

When confronted by community leaders and representatives from the Global Peace Initiative (GPI), a civil society organization, Mallam Garba initially denied involvement but later admitted contact with Nancy.

He reportedly stated she refused to return home and mentioned marriage discussions with extended family. He has since claimed Nancy is hospitalized in Jimeta for medical treatment, without providing verifiable details to her family.

A GPI delegation visited the refinery premises, met with Nancy’s parents and her church pastor (Rev. Bulus Musa of ECWA, where she serves as a choir member), and confronted Mallam Garba, who allegedly shifted his stance under pressure and promised her return after treatment.

The case has sparked concerns over potential violations of fundamental rights, including freedom of movement, religion, and personal liberty, as protected by Nigeria’s Constitution.

In a related development, Yakubu Ishaya Joshua issued a public safety alert on February 13, 2026, claiming he faced threats and intimidation after posting about the case.

He alleged that Mallam Adamu Garba visited his workplace, demanded deletion of the post, and connected him to Nancy on a call where she reportedly echoed the demand and issued veiled threats.

Joshua described this as an attempt to silence public discourse and placed responsibility on Mallam Garba for any harm to him or his family.

Authorities, including the Adamawa State Police Command, the state government, the National Human Rights Commission, and Dangote Savannah Sugar Refinery, have been urged to launch a thorough, transparent investigation and ensure Nancy’s safe return if under coercion. The Dangote refinery is called upon to cooperate fully with law enforcement.

This incident highlights ongoing tensions around interfaith relations, personal freedoms, and security in the region. Updates are expected as investigations proceed.