Amnesty International in Nigeria (AIN) has called on the authorities to ensure the safety, impartial and transparent investigation on disturbing threats to the lives of an 18-year-old girl, Hamdiyya Sidi Shariff, and her lawyer, Abba Hikima, by the Sokoto State Government.
Hamdiyya, a young activist who turned her attracted international attention to widespread poverty, negligence and underdevelopment of Sokoto, was considered an enemy of the state by the state government.
In one of her videos made in Hausa language, the teenager went to a neglected community and spoke to locals who claimed they have never felt government’s presence and only see their politicians during electioneering campaigns when they come to solicit their votes. In the video, she enlightened the people on the need to educate their children as a way to break off the vicious cycle.
Hamdiyya also advised them to demand their rights from politicians, just as she called on Governor Ahmed Aliyu to provide good governance to the state with 94% poverty rate.
But the video which attracted almost a million views in November, did not go down well with the state government who sent police after the teenager, arrested her and charged with “use of insulting or abusive language” and “inciting disturbance”.
Before the trial could commence, Hamdiyya was abducted alongside her uncle and allegedly assaulted sexually at gunpoint by thugs.
Narrating her ordeal, Hamdiyya alleged that her kidnappers were sponsored by the state government, adding that they tortured her for speaking against the governor.
She alleged that she was sexually harassed by the thugs who also forced her uncle to rape her to teach her a lesson.
News of her unpleasant experience went viral within the Hausa community on Tiktok with many users condemning the governor for allegedly putting her life in danger because she spoke against bad governance.
The teenager was also invited to Human Rights Radio, Brekete where she relived her experience and was instantly offered a job by the media house as Sokoto State Correspondent.
Reacting to the allegations of threats to life, Amnesty International which has been following the case, lamented that aside from being persecuted for exercising her constitutional rights to Freedom of Expression, Hamdiyya and her lawyer were being threatened.
A statement by AI’s Country Director, Dr. Isa Sanusi, said: “Right now, apart from facing persecution for exercising freedom of expression, Hamdiyya Sidi Shariff and her lawyer Abba Hikima are being subjected to threats, including phone calls and in-person confrontations by sponsored thugs and individuals claiming to be ‘intelligence agents.
“At the last court hearing, Barrister Hikima was compelled to apply for armed police protection due to the hostile atmosphere in court and the request was granted by the court. While in Sokoto, for the trial, they were also stalked at their hotel, accosted and intimidated by some individuals.
“These actions represent an alarming abuse of power and a calculated attempt to intimidate and punish those who speak out for their society and lawyers defending them. “The hostilities being faced by Hamdiyya Sidi Sharif and Barrister Abba Hikima are increasingly making their appearance in court in Sokoto dangerous.”
Dr. Sanusi confirmed that Hamdiyya was abducted by armed men last November 13, barely 12 days after she made the video that angered the governor.
“Hamdiyya Sidi Sharif was abducted by armed men and whisked into a tricycle on Wednesday 13 November 2024 while going to collect her mobile phone from a charging point. She was beaten and thrown out of a moving tricycle and left with severe injuries.
“Sokoto state Governor Mr. Ahmed Aliyu’s frightening intolerance of dissenting voices through heavy handed clampdown on critics is unacceptable in a free society. No one should be punished solely for expressing an opinion that is contrary to that of the government.
“The Nigerian authorities must guarantee the safety of Hamdiyya and Barrister Abba Hikima, particularly during court appearances and their stay in Sokoto for the trial.
“Instead of attempting to suppress dissenting voices, Sokoto state government and the Nigerian security agencies should focus on addressing rampant insecurity facing particularly the people of eastern part of Sokoto state where gunmen have been killing people, razing villages, abducting women and girls – almost daily,” said Isa Sanusi