Young Nigerian Activist Reported Missing Amid Legal Battle with Sokoto Government
posted 22nd May 2025
Young Nigerian Activist Reported Missing Amid Legal Battle with Sokoto Government
Hamdiyya Shariff, an 18-year-old human rights activist and vocal critic of the Sokoto State government, has been reported missing, raising concerns about her safety amid an ongoing legal dispute. According to a Facebook post by her lawyer, Abba Hikima, Ms Shariff was last seen leaving her residence in Sokoto around 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 20 May 2025, to purchase foodstuffs. Her whereabouts have since remained unknown.
Ms Shariff rose to national prominence in late 2024 after posting a TikTok video condemning Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration for its handling of widespread banditry and the suffering of displaced women in Sokoto State. The video, which highlighted dire conditions in rural areas and accused the government of negligence, went viral, thrusting her into the spotlight. However, her activism has come at a significant cost.
On 9 November 2024, Ms Shariff was arrested following the video’s release but was subsequently freed. Just days later, on 13 November, she was abducted by armed men while heading to collect her phone from a charging point. She was brutally beaten, thrown from a moving tricycle, and left with severe injuries. Undeterred, Ms Shariff continued her advocacy, but faced further legal action when she was arrested again and charged in a Sharia court with using abusive language against the state governor and “inciting disturbance.”
Her lawyer, Mr Hikima, has also faced threats, prompting Amnesty International to call for an investigation into the safety of both Ms Shariff and her legal counsel. Mr Hikima reported Ms Shariff’s disappearance to the Sokoto police, but when contacted, police spokesperson Ahmad Rufa’i stated he was unaware of any missing person report, promising to verify and provide an update.
The disappearance of Ms Shariff has sparked alarm among human rights groups and her supporters, who fear it may be linked to her outspoken criticism of the state government. As the search for the young activist continues, her case underscores the risks faced by those challenging authority in Nigeria’s volatile regions.
