Amnesty International has expressed deep concern over the continued detention of Hamdiyya Sidi Sharif by the Zamfara State Police Command, warning that her life is at risk without urgent medical attention following her recent abduction.
In a statement on Friday, the rights group condemned the refusal by authorities to prioritize Hamdiyya’s health, noting that the Sokoto State Police are demanding her transfer despite her critical condition. The organization called on Nigerian authorities to guarantee her safety and uphold her fundamental rights.
Amnesty also criticized Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, accusing his administration of a growing pattern of intolerance toward dissenting voices and heavy-handed suppression of critics, actions it described as incompatible with democratic values.
At a court appearance in January, Hamdiyya’s legal counsel, Abba Hikima, had to request armed police protection due to threats and a hostile environment in the courtroom — a request that was granted. Hikima and his client were reportedly stalked, confronted, and intimidated at their hotel while in Sokoto for the trial.
Amnesty urged both the Sokoto State Government and Nigerian security agencies to shift focus from silencing critics to tackling the worsening insecurity in the eastern part of Sokoto State. The region has seen a surge in violent attacks, including killings, village burnings, and the abduction of women and girls by armed groups.
The organization called for Hamdiyya’s immediate release and access to medical care, asserting that protecting human rights and ensuring justice must take precedence over political retaliation.
