A young human rights activist from Sokoto State, has been declared missing, sparking growing concerns among civil society groups and online communities. The 18- year-old gained national attention in November 2024 after she publicly criticised the Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, over the growing insecurity in the state.In the viral video that brought her into the spotlight, Sharif condemned the government’s perceived failure to protect vulnerable communities, particularly those displaced by banditry and communal violence. In the video, she boldly called on internally displaced persons (IDPs) to occupy the Sokoto Government House in a symbolic protest against what she described as the governor’s neglect and insensitivity to their plight.Her statement, which many described as courageous, drew both praise and condemnation across social media platforms. While some hailed her as a brave voice for the voiceless, others accused her of incitement and disrespect towards constituted authority.Reports of her disappearance emerged earlier this week after family members raised an alarm, saying they had not seen or heard from her in several days. Attempts to reach her via phone have been unsuccessful, and her last known location remains unclear.Sources close to the family confirmed that a formal complaint has been lodged with the Sokoto State Police Command. However, law enforcement authorities have yet to issue a public statement regarding her whereabouts or any ongoing investigation.Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International Nigeria and the Coalition for Social Justice, have expressed grave concern over her safety. They are calling on both state and federal authorities to take urgent steps to locate her and ensure her protection.“Hamdiyya’s disappearance is deeply troubling and raises red flags about the safety of young activists in northern Nigeria,” said a spokesperson for the Coalition for Social Justice. “Freedom of speech must be protected, not punished.”Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s office has not responded to multiple media requests for comment as of the time of this report.Sharif’s sudden disappearance underscores the increasingly hostile environment for youth activists and dissenting voices in parts of Nigeria. As public pressure mounts, many are demanding answers — and justice — for the young woman who dared to speak truth to power.
