Hamdiyyah Sharif, a vocal 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, made the disclosure in a Facebook post written in Hausa on Wednesday.
“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 residence in Sokoto to buy foodstuffs and never returned.
Her sudden disappearance sparked alarm among family, friends, and human rights groups, especially given her history of confrontation with authorities.
Hamdiyyah, known for her bold criticism of Governor Ahmed Aliyu, had previously been charged in 2024 with “use of insulting or abusive language” and “inciting public disturbance” over her social media posts targeting the administration.
The charges drew national attention and concern from international groups, including Amnesty International.
Her legal team earlier raised the alarm, expressing fears that her disappearance might be linked to past threats and attacks.
“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.
Recalling a previous ordeal, he said Hamdiyyah had once been abducted, strangled, and beaten nearly to death before being rescued by a good Samaritan.
“Before now, this same girl was abducted and strangled and beaten almost to death,” he said.
However, he lamented the lack of any investigation into the earlier 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,” he added.
Amnesty International has now called on Nigerian authorities to launch an urgent investigation.
In a statement posted Wednesday, the organisation reminded the public that Sharif was due in court on May 21 for the continuation of her trial.
“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,” the statement read.
Despite growing concern, the Sokoto State Police Command claimed it had no knowledge of her disappearance.
Police spokesperson Ahmed Rufai said, “We are not aware of her missing.”
Hamdiyyah’s reappearance in Zamfara miles from Sokoto and in a critical condition has sparked serious concern over her safety and the silence of the authorities.
