Hamdiyyah Sharif, a known critic of Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu, has been declared missing, according to her lawyer, Abba Hikima.
Hikima announced Sharif's disappearance on Wednesday through his official Facebook handle, stating that she has not been seen since 10:00 am on Tuesday when she left home to purchase foodstuff in Sokoto.
"Hamdiyya has been missing since 10:00 am yesterday (Tuesday). She left home to buy food stuff in Sokoto and has not been seen since," Hikima wrote, adding that the Sokoto State Police have been informed of her disappearance.
This is not the first time Sharif has faced difficulties following her criticism of Governor Aliyu. She was previously arrested in November last year on charges of using abusive language against the governor and "inciting disturbance" after criticizing his administration. Though initially detained, she was subsequently released.
In a disturbing incident on November 13, 2024, Sharif was reportedly abducted by armed men while on her way to collect her phone from a charging point. According to reports, she was beaten and thrown out of a moving tricycle, sustaining severe injuries.
Sharif was later arrested again and charged in a Sharia court for using abusive language and criticizing constituted authority in the state. The charges stemmed from a TikTok post in which she advocated for displaced people.
As of the time of this report, there has been no official statement from the Sokoto State Government regarding Sharif's disappearance. The police investigation into her whereabouts is ongoing.
