The Zamfara State government has dismissed claims that a 22-year-old woman, Zainab Muhamadu, is set to face trial Friday in a Sharia court for converting to Christianity, describing the report as fake news spread by political adversaries to undermine the state’s progress.
Sulaiman Bala Idris, spokesperson for Governor Dauda Lawal, in a statement, called the story completely false and a product of social media platforms seeking online traffic.
“The attention of the Zamfara State Government has been drawn to mischievous fake news about a 22-year-old Miss Zainab Muhamadu, who is facing the death penalty for converting to Christianity,” Idris said. “This is the handiwork of enemies of peace, hellbent on creating tension where none exists.”
The government confirmed with the Grand Khadi of the Zamfara Sharia Court of Appeal that no such case exists or has ever been filed in any Sharia court in the state. Investigations involving security agencies and judicial authorities further verified the report’s falsehood, with Idris attributing its origin to Sahara Reporters.
The statement revealed that the image used in the report depicted a woman named Aalia from Texas, United States, not a Nigerian. Idris criticised media outlets for spreading unverified stories, stating, “Media platforms that should provide verified stories are becoming complacent, copying content from social media accounts eager for likes and comments.”
The government urged security agencies to investigate the source of the report and prosecute those responsible, warning that such misinformation could incite religious tension. “We must all do our part to ensure the peace of this country,” Idris concluded, emphasising Zamfara’s commitment to countering divisive narratives.
