Hamdiyyah Sharif: CSOs condemn Sokoto Govt’s prosecution of teenage social commentator

By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna

A coalition of 38 civil society organisations, including the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Amnesty International Nigeria, and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has strongly condemned the alleged persecution and harassment of Miss Hamdiyyah Sharif, a teenage social commentator from Sokoto State.

According to reports, Miss Sharif was targeted by state authorities after publicly criticising the government’s handling of recurring bandit attacks in the state. The attacks have reportedly resulted in widespread killings, sexual violence, arson, and the displacement of numerous residents.

“Rather than responding constructively to her concerns, authorities subjected her to persistent intimidation,” the groups stated. Her legal representatives declared her missing, only for her to later be found in a hospital in Bakura, Zamfara State, under suspicious and unexplained circumstances.

In a joint statement, the civil society organisations described Miss Sharif’s ordeal as indicative of a broader campaign against civic voices across Nigeria. They accused the Sokoto State Government of abdicating its duty to protect citizens and instead targeting individuals who demand accountability.

The coalition warned that Nigeria is edging perilously close to authoritarianism, with state institutions allegedly being manipulated to silence dissenting voices. “Public institutions are being weaponised to crush opposition and suppress legitimate criticism under the guise of governance,” the statement read.

A leading advocate for women’s rights, who requested anonymity, described the incident not only as political repression but also as a case of gender-based violence. She urged female politicians and women’s rights organisations to speak out against what she termed an escalating threat to civic freedom and women’s safety.

The coalition called on all Nigerians to unite in resisting oppression and defending the nation’s democratic values. “This country belongs to all of us—not just the elite or the powerful. Civic space is not a privilege. It is a right,” the statement declared.

As Miss Sharif’s case continues to garner national and international attention, the civil society organisations reaffirmed their determination to challenge injustice. “We refuse to fold our arms while Nigeria slides into repression. We will mobilise, we will resist, and we will speak out—because silence, in times like these, is not neutrality; it is complicity.”

The incident involving Miss Hamdiyyah Sharif serves as a stark reminder of the perils of authoritarian governance and underscores the urgent need to protect civic space. The message from the civil society community is clear: the defence of democracy requires collective vigilance and action.