- Hamdiyyah Sharif, a prominent social media critic of Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu, was found in critical condition at Bakura General Hospital in Zamfara State.
- Abba Hikima, her lawyer, disclosed the information in a Hausa-language Facebook post on Wednesday.
Hamdiyyah Sharif, a vocal social media critic of Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu, who was declared missing on Tuesday, has been found in a critical condition at the Bakura General Hospital in Zamfara State.
Her lawyer, Abba Hikima, confirmed her whereabouts in a Facebook post written in Hausa on Wednesday, saying, “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.”
Sharif had gone missing around 10 a.m. on Tuesday after leaving her home in Sokoto to purchase food items. Her sudden disappearance triggered widespread concern among family members, activists, and human rights organizations, given her past confrontations with the state government.
Known for openly criticizing Governor Ahmed Aliyu, Hamdiyyah had previously faced legal charges in 2024 for allegedly using “insulting or abusive language” and “inciting public disturbance” via social media. These charges attracted national attention and condemnation from international watchdogs like Amnesty International.
Her legal team had voiced grave concerns over her safety, fearing her disappearance could be linked to earlier threats and unresolved attacks. “She could be undergoing torture or worse,” her lawyer warned, noting that she had once survived a brutal abduction, during which she was strangled and beaten nearly to death. That case remains uninvestigated.
Despite her critical condition and the gravity of the circumstances, the Sokoto State Police Command claimed ignorance of the case. Police spokesperson Ahmed Rufai stated, “We are not aware of her missing.”
Amnesty International has now renewed its call for urgent investigations. In a statement issued Wednesday, the group reiterated that Hamdiyyah was scheduled to appear in court on May 21 for her ongoing trial, accusing Nigerian authorities of silence and inaction.
Her reappearance far from Sokoto, in another state and under police guard while severely ill, has only deepened public suspicion and calls for justice.
