‘It’s shameful’ — coalition condemns arrest of woman in Sokoto for speaking on insecurity

The Voices for Inclusion and Equity (VIEW) has condemned the arrest of Hamdiyya Sidi by the police in Sokoto state.

In a statement on Wednesday, the coalition said Sidi had simply asked Ahmad Aliyu, the Sokoto governor, if he would remain so indifferent if he and his family are at the receiving end of the horrific violence that has become the lot of countless women across the north.

The statement said instead of addressing her concerns, the police proceeded to arrest and detain her for “inciting unrest”.

The group said the arrest exposes a “shameful and oppressive mindset at the highest levels of leadership”.

“As we speak, after being released on bail, Hamdiyya was ambushed by ‘unknown persons’, beaten up thoroughly, and left for dead,” the statement reads.

“In the conflict-ridden spaces of Northern Nigeria, women live under the constant threat of violence — rape, kidnapping, and terror — at the hands of armed groups.

“The young woman who spoke up was not ‘criticizing the government’ or ‘inciting unrest’; she was merely calling attention to a humanitarian crisis, of which there are countless victims, including members of her family and community.

“Hamdiyya spoke for millions who live in fear, those whose pleas have been ignored time and time again.

“Her arrest sends a chilling message: that in Sokoto, those in power are more interested in suppressing dissent than in protecting their people.

“It tells Northern women that their lives, their safety, and their voices are less important than the comfort of those who hold office.

“Why should a woman be detained and beaten up for speaking a painful truth? She did not curse, she did not threaten, and she did not incite violence; she asked a simple question.

“This cowardly response from the powers-that-be reeks of authoritarianism, and signals a profound disrespect not only for her, but for all women who bear the brunt of this unchecked violence.

“If our leaders cannot tolerate questions from the electorate, it is a clear sign of a decayed democracy.”

The coalition implored the governor to immediately publicly denounce the treatment of Hamdiyya as leader of the state.

“We expect him to support her and also listen to her pleas for support, with a view to addressing them. His public denouncement would send a message that the State values the lives and safety of its women,” the statement reads.

“In any just society, a woman has the right to speak out against the conditions that threaten her life and dignity.

“Northern women deserve this right to speak out, without fear of violence or retribution. Their demands should flow naturally as a right, not a privilege.

“This is not just about one woman’s freedom but about the rights of all Northern women who refuse to be silenced in the face of brutality.

“The Inspector General of Police should call his men to order, since it was the police who took it upon themselves to detain Hamdiya for ‘inciting unrest’; a young defenseless girl who merely expressed her empathy for members of her community, demanding for succour.

“We call on everyone with any degree of influence on Governor Aliyu Ahmed Sokoto to get him to do the right thing by ensuring Hamdiyya, who has done nothing wrong, is protected, supported and listened to.

“That would be the first step towards addressing the suffering of the people.”

The statement was signed by Asma’u Joda, Saudatu Mahdi, Maryam Uwais, Aisha Oyebode, Amina Salihu, Mairo Mandara, Kadaria Ahmed, Fatima Akilu, Rabi Jimeta, and Aisha Waziri Ibrahim.