Missing Sokoto Gov’s critic, kidnapped, found in Zamfara hospital, surrounded by security men – Lawyer

The embattled critic of Sokoto State Governor, Hamdiyya Sharif has been found in Zamfara State.

According to a post in Hausa by her lawyer, Abba Hikima on his official Facebook handle on Wednesday evening: “We have been informed that Hamdiyya is in the Bakura General Hospital in Zamfara State.

“She is in a critical condition. But there are security personnel with her.”

Abba Hikima confirmed that Hamdiyya was earlier kidnapped.

Recall that PUNCH earlier reported how Hamdiyya got missing on Tuesday as declared by Hikima on his Facebook handle.

Her lawyer had declared her missing on Wednesday morning through a post on his official Facebook handle.

According to Hikima, “Hamdiyya has been missing since 10:00 am yesterday (Tuesday).

“She left home to buy food stuff in Sokoto and has not been seen since,” he wrote.

Hikima stated that the Sokoto State Police Command has been informed of the development.

Shariff had faced charges of using abusive language against Governor Aliyu and “inciting disturbance” for criticising the governor.

She was first arrested in November last year and detained but was subsequently released.

While on her way to collect her phone from a charging point, she was then abducted by armed men on 13 November 2024.

She was beaten, and thereafter thrown out of a moving tricycle and left with severe injuries.

Shariff was again arrested and charged in a Sharia court for the use of abusive language and criticisms against constituted authority in the state in a TikTok post advocating for displaced people.