Missing Critic Of Sokoto Governor, Hamdiyyah Sharif, Found In Critical Condition At Zamfara Hospital

Hamdiyyah Sharif, a prominent social media critic of Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu, who was declared missing on Tuesday, has been found in critical condition at Bakura General Hospital in Zamfara State.

Her lawyer, Abba Hikima, confirmed the development in a Facebook post on Wednesday, written in Hausa. “We have been informed that Hamdiyyah is in the Bakura General Hospital in Zamfara State. She is in a critical condition. But there are security personnel with her,” he wrote.

Hamdiyyah was last seen around 10 a.m. on Tuesday after she left her Sokoto residence to buy foodstuffs and failed to return. Her sudden disappearance raised alarm among her family, friends, and human rights groups, particularly due to her history of facing threats over her outspoken views.

Sharif had previously been charged in 2024 with “use of insulting or abusive language” and “inciting public disturbance” for her social media posts targeting Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration. Her case attracted national attention and international concern, including a statement from Amnesty International.

Her legal team had earlier voiced fears that her disappearance might be linked to those past threats. “Our fear is no more than the fact that she could not be found. Her situation could be anything. It could be that she is being tortured, or she could be lifeless. I mean, we are expecting the worst right now,” Hikima told The PUNCH.

He also recalled a previous incident in which Hamdiyyah was abducted, strangled, and severely beaten before being rescued. “Before now, this same girl was abducted and strangled and beaten almost to death,” he said, lamenting the lack of any investigation into that attack. “Nothing has been done to crack down on those people who abducted this girl, though abduction is a heinous act. The Sokoto State government is saying nothing, despite the fact that the evil is perpetrated on Sokoto soil.”

Amnesty International has now urged Nigerian authorities to launch a full investigation. In a statement on Wednesday, the organization said, “Hamdiyyah Sidi Sharif — who Sokoto State government charged with the ‘use of insulting or abusive language’ and ‘inciting disturbance’ for criticising the governor of Sokoto State, Mr Ahmed Aliyu — has been declared missing. Her lawyers and family have already reported the matter to security agencies in Sokoto and the court where she is standing trial. Hamdiyyah is supposed to appear in court today, May 21, 2025, in continuation of her trial before a magistrates’ court.”

Despite the mounting concern, the Sokoto State Police Command said it was unaware of her disappearance. “We are not aware of her missing,” said spokesperson Ahmed Rufai.

Her discovery in Zamfara, miles away from Sokoto and in a critical condition, has intensified public concern over her safety and the silence of the authorities.