By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna A coalition of 38 civil society organisations has strongly condemned the alleged persecution and h...
By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
A coalition of 38 civil society organisations has strongly condemned the alleged persecution and harassment of Miss Hamdiyyah Sharif, a teenage social commentator from Sokoto State, following her vocal criticism of ongoing insecurity in her community.
The coalition, which includes prominent groups such as the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Amnesty International Nigeria, and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), issued a joint statement describing Miss Sharif’s ordeal as "a dangerous attack on civic freedoms and democratic accountability in Nigeria."
Miss Sharif reportedly came under intense scrutiny from state officials after raising concerns about repeated bandit attacks in Sokoto State, which have resulted in deaths, rapes, arson, and mass displacement. Instead of receiving a response or protection, she was allegedly subjected to threats and intimidation.
Her legal team later declared her missing, only for her to be found days later under mysterious circumstances in a hospital in Bakura, Zamfara State. The details surrounding her disappearance and condition remain unclear, raising questions about the involvement of state authorities.
“This is not just a violation of her rights; it is a chilling message to all young voices daring to speak truth to power,” the coalition stated. “Her treatment is emblematic of a wider crackdown on dissent and civic engagement across the country.”
The groups accused the Sokoto State Government of weaponizing institutions against citizens rather than addressing their concerns. They warned that Nigeria is on a dangerous path toward authoritarianism under the guise of governance and security.
A notable women’s rights activist, who spoke anonymously, described the case as a "double assault"—political repression and gender-based violence—urging female leaders and women's rights organisations to rally in defense of Sharif and other vulnerable young voices.
In a powerful call to action, the coalition urged Nigerians to rise in defense of civic space, which they described as “not a privilege, but a constitutional right.”
“The country belongs to all of us—not just the elite, not just the powerful. We refuse to fold our arms while Nigeria slides into repression. We will mobilize, we will resist, we will speak, because silence, in times like these, is not neutrality—it is complicity,” the statement declared.
As Miss Sharif’s case garners increasing national and international attention, the coalition reaffirmed its commitment to justice, transparency, and democratic freedoms. The situation remains under close observation by human rights advocates and watchdog groups globally.
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