Hamdiyyah Sharif, a prominent and vocal social media critic of Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu, who was reported missing on Tuesday, has been located in critical condition at Bakura General Hospital in Zamfara State.
Her lawyer, Abba Hikima, revealed the development in a Facebook post written in Hausa on Wednesday, confirming that she is receiving medical attention but remains in a serious state.
Hamdiyyah Sharif.
“We have been informed that Hamdiyyah is currently at Bakura General Hospital in Zamfara State. She is in critical condition but is under the supervision of security personnel,” Hikima wrote.
Hamdiyyah was last seen at around 10 a.m. on Tuesday when she left her home in Sokoto to purchase food items but failed to return.
Her unexpected disappearance prompted widespread concern among her family, friends, human rights activists, and the general public, especially considering her previous confrontations with state authorities.
Hamdiyyah is well known for her fearless and outspoken criticism of Governor Ahmed Aliyu and his administration. In 2024, she was formally charged with “use of insulting or abusive language” and “inciting public disturbance” because of her social media posts targeting the Sokoto State government.
These charges sparked national and international outcry, drawing the attention of groups such as Amnesty International, who condemned the legal actions against her as a threat to freedom of expression.
Her legal team had earlier raised alarm over her disappearance, fearing it was connected to the threats and violence she had endured in the past.
“Our greatest fear was the fact that she could not be found. At this point, her condition is unknown — she might be tortured or worse. We are bracing for the worst,” Hikima told The PUNCH.
He also recounted a previous incident where Hamdiyyah was abducted, severely assaulted, strangled, and nearly killed before a Good Samaritan intervened to rescue her.
“Before now, this same girl was abducted and subjected to brutal violence. She was strangled and beaten almost to death,” Hikima recalled.
Despite the severity of that attack, he expressed frustration that no serious investigation or action had been taken against the perpetrators.
“No concrete steps have been taken to identify or punish those responsible for her abduction, even though such acts are grave crimes.
“The Sokoto State government has remained silent, despite these heinous crimes occurring on its soil,” he added.
Amnesty International has since issued an urgent call on Nigerian authorities to investigate Hamdiyyah’s disappearance and the circumstances surrounding her current condition without delay.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Amnesty International reminded the public that Hamdiyyah was scheduled to appear in court on May 21, 2025, for the continuation of her trial.
“Hamdiyyah Sidi Sharif — who was charged by the Sokoto State government with ‘use of insulting or abusive language’ and ‘inciting disturbance’ for her criticism of Governor Ahmed Aliyu — has been declared missing.
“Her lawyers and family have already reported the matter to security agencies in Sokoto and the court where her trial is ongoing.
“She was expected to appear in court on May 21, 2025, for a continuation of her trial before a magistrate’s court,” the statement noted.
Despite the mounting concern, the Sokoto State Police Command denied any knowledge of her disappearance.
Police spokesperson Ahmed Rufai stated, “We are not aware of her missing.”
Hamdiyyah’s sudden reappearance in Zamfara State, far from her home in Sokoto and in a critical medical condition, has raised serious questions about her safety, the circumstances of her disappearance, and the lack of response from
relevant authorities.