By Ademola Adekusibe
2nd December 2025
A young woman identified as Hamdiyya has reportedly been detained in Sokoto after publicly criticising the level of insecurity and the state of education in the region.
In a video circulated online, the woman appealed directly to Governor Ahmad Aliyu, questioning the government’s response to recurring attacks in rural communities. She referenced repeated incidents of killings, abductions and violence, urging authorities to strengthen security measures.
She also called on parents, especially mothers, to prioritise education for their children, describing it as essential for addressing long-term socio-economic challenges.
Following her comments, the woman was allegedly abducted by a group of thugs, beaten and threatened. She claimed that her attackers debated whether to sexually assault or kill her and that they filmed parts of the assault to intimidate her. She said she was left unconscious near Shafi’u Garage before being found.
Activists online say her subsequent arrest amounts to an attempt to silence criticism, though state authorities have not issued an official statement on the matter as of the time of filing this report.
Further details on her condition, the circumstances of her detention, and the response from the Sokoto State Government are still being awaited.
