Amnesty International Sounds Alarm Over Hamdiyya Sidi Sharif’s Detention
By Faisal A Harande
Amnesty International Nigeria has received distressing reports that the Zamfara State Commissioner of Police has detained Hamdiyya Sidi Sharif, a victim of abduction who requires immediate medical attention. The Sokoto Police Command is demanding that Hamdiyya be handed over to them, further jeopardizing her already precarious situation.
Hamdiyya’s detention is the latest example of the Sokoto state government’s intolerance of dissenting voices, under the leadership of Governor Ahmed Aliyu. In a disturbing trend, critics and opposition voices have faced heavy-handed clampdowns, stifling free speech and civic engagement. During a court hearing in January, Hamdiyya’s lawyer, Abba Hikima, was forced to request armed police protection due to the hostile atmosphere in court. The lawyer and his team were even stalked and intimidated at their hotel, highlighting the pervasive climate of fear and repression.
While the Sokoto state government focuses on suppressing dissent, the people of eastern Sokoto state continue to suffer from rampant insecurity. Gunmen have been terrorizing communities, killing residents, razing villages, and abducting women and girls almost daily. The authorities must prioritize addressing these security challenges rather than silencing critics.
Amnesty International Nigeria is calling on the Nigerian authorities to guarantee Hamdiyya Sidi Sharif’s safety and ensure she receives the urgent medical attention she needs. We urge the Sokoto state government and security agencies to focus on protecting citizens’ rights and addressing the growing insecurity in the state.
“Nigerian authorities must act swiftly to guarantee Hamdiyya’s safety and medical care. The Sokoto state government’s intolerance of dissent is unacceptable and undermines the fundamental rights of citizens. We call on the authorities to prioritize addressing insecurity and protecting human rights rather than silencing critics.”
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