A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) on Friday demanded the immediate release of a young social critic, Miss Hamdiyyah Sharif, reportedly being held in police custody under unclear circumstances.
Sharif, a teenage social commentator based in Sokoto State, has been vocal about governance, insecurity, and citizens’ welfare in her community. Her detention has sparked concern from rights groups and democracy advocates, who say her only offence was calling attention to the suffering of her people.
Speaking in Abuja, Auwal Rafsanjani, Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), led the call for her release. He described Sharif as a courageous youth who used her voice to highlight the growing security crisis in her community, which had seen multiple bandit attacks leading to deaths and displacement.
“Hamdiyyah questioned why state officials have failed to visit or show sympathy to victims in her area,” Rafsanjani said. “Instead of addressing the issues she raised, she is now being punished for speaking the truth.”
Sharif was recently declared missing by her legal team, sparking fears for her safety. She was later found in a hospital in Bakura, Zamfara State, under unclear circumstances. She is now believed to be in police custody in Zamfara, although her exact condition and the reasons for her detention remain uncertain.
“We demand her immediate release and the protection of her fundamental rights,” Rafsanjani said.
Also lending his voice, Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, urged the Inspector-General of Police to intervene and ensure that Sharif’s rights are not violated. “Young Nigerians must not be silenced for demanding accountability,” Sanusi said.
Omolara Balogun, Country Lead at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), Nigeria Node, called for an independent investigation into the entire incident — from her disappearance to her current detention.
She urged high-profile women in leadership, including Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the wife of Sokoto State Governor, Fatima Ahmed Aliyu, to speak out and act in defence of Sharif’s rights.
“We need women in power to stand up for young women who are using their voice for justice,” Balogun said.
Dauda Garuba, Director of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), also warned that civic space in Nigeria must not be restricted. “Youth like Hamdiyyah deserve protection, not persecution. The right to free expression must be preserved,” he stated.
The coalition said it will continue to monitor the case and pursue legal and advocacy actions until Sharif is released and those responsible for her detention are held accountable.
The arrest has added to growing concerns about shrinking civic space and increasing intolerance for dissent in parts of the country, especially for young voices and community advocates.
