Hamdiyya Sidi Sharif, an 18-year-old activist and vocal critic of Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu, who was reported missing on Tuesday, has been located in a critical state at Bakura General Hospital in Zamfara State....CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.>>
Her lawyer, Abba Hikima, confirmed the news via a Facebook post in Hausa on Wednesday. Hikima revealed that the young woman had been abducted and was currently under medical care, with security personnel present at the hospital.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!According to Hikima, Hamdiyya had gone out on Tuesday morning to buy foodstuffs in Sokoto but never returned home. The incident sparked widespread concern, particularly in light of her previous confrontations with the state government.
Her disappearance prompted a police report, and speculation quickly spread regarding her safety and potential political motivations behind her vanishing. Her eventual discovery in another state, and in poor health, has intensified calls for a thorough investigation.
Hamdiyya first drew public attention in November 2024 after releasing a TikTok video in which she openly criticized Governor Ahmad Aliyu’s administration. The video led to her arrest and a secretive arraignment by authorities in Sokoto.
During this process, she was reportedly denied legal counsel and family access, triggering condemnation from civil rights advocates who decried the alleged violations of her constitutional rights. The charges against her included “use of insulting or abusive language” and “inciting disturbance.”
Since her initial arrest, Hamdiyya has remained embroiled in a legal and political standoff with the Sokoto State government. Activists and observers have accused the state of using intimidation and harassment to silence her.
The young woman has also been subjected to a wave of cyberbullying, allegedly from individuals sympathetic to Governor Aliyu’s administration. Despite being a teenager, her case has become symbolic of broader concerns about freedom of expression and youth activism in Nigeria.
Rumors had recently circulated online suggesting that Hamdiyya had been sentenced to prison, subjected to corporal punishment, or fined. However, her lawyer firmly dismissed those reports, labeling them as misinformation. He emphasized that while she faced legal battles, no such judgment had been handed down.
Her sudden disappearance earlier this week added further confusion and concern over her safety and legal status, culminating in Wednesday’s revelation of her abduction.
As of now, there has been no official statement from the Sokoto State Government regarding Hamdiyya’s abduction or her current condition.
Human rights groups and members of the public have begun calling for an impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and treatment.
Many are urging federal authorities and national human rights institutions to intervene and ensure her safety, as well as uphold her rights under the law. The case continues to unfold, as the nation watches closely.
