A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has issued an urgent call for the immediate and unconditional release of Hamdiyyah Sharif, a 19-year-old social commentator and advocate for improved governance in Sokoto State.
In a statement released on Friday in Abuja, the coalition demanded full protection for Sharif to ensure she enjoys her constitutional rights, including freedom of movement, expression, and personal liberty, without fear of reprisal.
Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), emphasized the urgency of the situation, calling for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Sharif's disappearance and allegations of state involvement.
"The state government should be focusing on addressing the suffering of the people, who have some of the highest poverty rates, almajiri, and out-of-school children in Nigeria, rather than targeting innocent citizens," Rafsanjani stated.
He drew parallels to the 2020 #EndBadGovernance protests, which resulted in the unlawful detention of 29 minors who had participated in demonstrations against Nigeria's deteriorating economic situation and insecurity.
"Months after Civil Society pressure, they were released. However, many remain in deplorable conditions, without rehabilitation, psychosocial support, or access to justice," Rafsanjani added, criticizing the lack of accountability for the police officers responsible for the detention.
Dr. Garba Dauda, Director of the Centre for Democracy Development (CDD), reaffirmed the CSOs' commitment to collective action, including supporting efforts to end violence against women.
"Should this situation remain unresolved and jeopardize this young girl's life, we will escalate our advocacy to relevant international human rights bodies, including the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights," Dauda warned.
The coalition further indicated they would pursue legal redress through international mechanisms such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) and explore diplomatic measures, including calls for visa denial and asset seizures against those responsible if the situation is not resolved promptly.
The coalition includes prominent organizations such as Amnesty International Nigeria, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Global Rights, Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), and Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), among others.
