An 18-year-old Nigerian woman, Hamdiyya Sidi Shariff, has been sentenced to 12 strokes of the cane, two years imprisonment, or a fine of ₦50,000, after raising alarm over rising insecurity in Sokoto State. The case, which has since sparked outrage across social media platforms, has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and the general public.
Shariff was arrested in November 2024 after posting videos online in which she expressed deep concern about frequent bandit attacks in her community. In the videos, she recounted how armed groups were displacing residents and subjecting vulnerable women to sexual violence with little to no government intervention.
Authorities accused her of inciting public unrest and using derogatory language against Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu in a TikTok video. However, translated transcripts of the seven videos presented in court reportedly contained no content inciting violence or directly insulting the governor.
Further details surrounding Shariff’s arrest reveal she was abducted by unidentified armed men while attempting to retrieve her phone. She was allegedly beaten and thrown out of a moving tricycle, sustaining serious injuries. Following her ordeal, she was charged under both Sharia and Magistrates’ Courts.
During a hearing in February 2025, the Police Prosecutor presented translated videos and a flash drive as evidence. However, it was revealed under cross-examination that Shariff’s statement had been obtained without legal counsel present. Despite this, her bail was upheld until sentencing.
Human rights organization Amnesty International condemned the trial proceedings, citing threats and intimidation faced by both Shariff and her legal counsel, Abba Hikima. The group described the case as an abuse of authority designed to suppress legitimate criticism and dissent.
Amnesty further urged Nigerian authorities to focus on addressing the root causes of insecurity in eastern Sokoto, where kidnappings, killings, and destruction of entire communities have become alarmingly routine, rather than punishing those who raise awareness about these issues.
The case has ignited a wave of public reaction online, with many Nigerians decrying the government's actions and calling out the hypocrisy of silencing citizens who voice concerns over security failures.
The incident continues to fuel wider conversations about freedom of expression, abuse of power, and the role of governance in protecting citizens’ rights in Nigeria.
Source; gistreel
Comments
Post a Comment