- Watch video of Pastor Sarah Omaku recounting the horror tales of Fulani herdsmen’s victims
A Sokoto Chief Magistrates’ Court presided over by Chief Magistrate Faruk Umar, has sentenced an 18-year-old social media activist, Hamdiyya Sidi Shariff, to 12 strokes of the cane, or 2 years imprisonment, or a fine of Fifty Thousand Naira (50,000).
Shariff was arrested November 13, 2024, and put in prison for allegedly lamenting the rising killings and general insecurity in the state on social media.
She was first abducted by armed men and whisked into a tricycle while going to collect her mobile phone from a charging point. She was beaten and thrown out of a moving tricycle and left with severe injuries.
In a viral video, she revealed how bandits pillaged their villages without any restraints, and how displaced women seeking refuge in the state capital are now being sexually exploited due to abject poverty and squalor.
The Sokoto State government first charged her before a Sharia court for the “use of insulting or abusive language” and “inciting disturbance” after she criticised Governor Ahmed Aliyu in a TikTok video.
Her plight drew the attention of Amnesty International who urged security operatives to ensure her impartial trial.
The Director, Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, in a statement issued, noted that the threat to the lives of Hamdiyya and her lawyer was disturbing and the need for caution.
“The Nigerian authorities must impartially and transparently investigate disturbing threats to the lives of Hamdiyya Sidi Shariff and her lawyer Abba Hikima – as the trial continues.Right now, apart from facing persecution for exercising freedom of expression, Hamdiyya Sidi Shariff and her lawyer, Abba Hikima, are being subjected to threats, including phone calls and in-person confrontations by sponsored thugs and individuals claiming to be ‘intelligence agents”, said Sanusi.
He stated that at the last court hearing, Barrister Hikima was compelled to apply for armed police protection due to the hostile atmosphere in court. The request was granted by the court. While in Sokoto, for the trial, they were also stalked at their hotel, accosted and intimidated by some individuals.
“These actions represent an alarming abuse of power and a calculated attempt to intimidate and punish those who speak out for their society and lawyers defending them. The hostilities being faced by Hamdiyya Sidi Sharif and Barrister Abba Hikima are increasingly making their appearance in court in Sokoto dangerous.”
“Instead of attempting to suppress dissenting voices, Sokoto State government and the Nigerian security agencies should focus on addressing rampant insecurity facing particularly the people of eastern part of Sokoto State where gunmen have been killing people, razing villages, abducting women and girls – almost daily,” Sanusi said
On February 22, 2025, before her sentencing, the 18-year-old activist had her trial adjourned to March 13 and 14, 2025 by Chief Magistrate Umar, after the Police Prosecutor, Inspector Khalid Musa, presented evidence through the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), Tukur Abdulhadi.
The prosecution alleged that Shariff disseminated content capable of inciting public disturbance, particularly criticising the government’s handling of banditry in regions like Sabon Birnin Daji. During the session, the IPO submitted a flash drive and a translated version of Shariff’s statement as exhibits.
However, under cross-examination, it was revealed that her statement was taken without legal representation present. The court then maintained the bail conditions previously granted to her..
The case ignited a firestorm of discussions across social media platforms, with users expressing a spectrum of opinions:
Many viewed her as a courageous voice against governmental negligence. One user emphasised the threats she has faced since her critical post about the Sokoto State governor.
Below is a video of Pastor Sarah Omaku telling the blood curdling story of victims raped and dehumanised by terrorists masquerading as Fulani herdsmen.
