Former Senate Majority Leader Mohammed Ali Ndume has voiced his outrage regarding the arrest and prosecution of Hamdiya Sidi in Sokoto. The police detained Sidi for expressing her concerns about the ongoing killings by bandits.
Representing the Borno South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Ndume echoed the sentiments of a northern coalition known as Voices for Inclusion and Equity (VIEW), which condemned Sidi’s arrest.
Ndume emphasised that Sidi’s expressions of grief over the violence were an essential call to action regarding the banditry crisis. He asserted that attempts to silence her through legal action were unacceptable.
On Friday, Ahmad Rufai, spokesman for the Sokoto police command, stated that Sidi was being prosecuted for allegedly inciting unrest in the state. In a video, Sidi had voiced her alarm about the insecurity plaguing the region and called for an end to the relentless killings by bandits. She highlighted the plight of displaced women in the state capital, who were vulnerable to sexual exploitation due to extreme poverty.
The northern coalition, which includes prominent figures like Asma’u Joda, Saudatu Mahdi, and Aisha Oyebode, earlier condemned Sidi’s arrest and urged Governor Aliyu to publicly oppose the treatment of this resolute young woman. They emphasised that the governor has a responsibility to safeguard his citizens.
“We expect that the governor will support her and heed her calls for assistance to address these urgent issues.
A public rebuke from him would affirm the state’s commitment to the safety and well-being of its women. Ignoring her pleas only exacerbates the challenges faced by communities in Northern Nigeria,” the coalition stated.
The statement further asserted, “In a just society, women must be free to voice concerns about threats to their lives and dignity. Northern women deserve this fundamental right without fear of violence or reprisal. This issue transcends one woman’s freedom; it represents the rights of all Northern women who refuse to be silenced by brutality.”
The coalition lamented the growing trend of persecuting those who speak out about societal challenges, urging Northern Governors to protect their constituents and address the concerns raised rather than reacting defensively.
They called on the ruling APC party, which the governor belongs to, to demand that he serve his citizens effectively. Furthermore, they urged the Inspector General of Police to rein in officers responsible for detaining Sidi, a young woman who expressed her compassion for her community.
“Our governors must remember their leadership roles, especially in conflict-affected areas. The suffering is immense, and the attacks are unceasing. We stand with Hamdiya in her plea for compassion and support for those affected by violence and destruction. Governors must protect the vulnerable and not worsen their plight by silencing those who lack the means to defend themselves. As the Hausa saying goes, one cannot inflict pain on another and then stifle their cries for help.”
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