NAIJA NEWS The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed the arrest and prosecution of Hamdiyya Sidi, a woman who allegedly incited unrest in the state.
Newsmen had exclusively reported how Sidi was arrested for “embarrassing” Sokoto State governor, Ahmad Aliyu, on social media.
She was subsequently arraigned secretly on Monday without having access to a lawyer nor family members, a source had said.
She revealed how gunmen took over villages without any restrain and added that displaced women seeking refuge in the state capital are now being sexually exploited due to abject poverty and squalor.
But according to a statement by the command’s spokesperson, Ahmad Rufai, Sidi was arrested on November 3, 2024, after village head Marafa Yakubu reported that she deceived him by claiming to represent a charitable organization.
Instead of distributing relief items, Sidi allegedly incited women against the government, urging them to take over government properties in Wammako local government area.
The statement read, “The attention of the Nigeria Police force sokoto command has been drawn to the ongoing falsehood and misinformation circulated by gistcore media and other social media handles on the purported story that the Nigeria police Sokoto command secretly arrested and arrainged a woman who lamented on the recent rise in killings in Sokoto for embarrassing Governor Aliyu Ahmed Sokoto.
“We wish to make the record straight, i. On the 3rd of November 2024 at 1700hrs one Marafa Yakubu ‘m’ the village head of Sabon Birnin Daji village in Wurno local government area reported to the police that a woman later identified as one Hamdiyya Sidi ‘f’ of Munki village in Wurno local government area came to the village and deceived him that she is a member of that community representing a charitable organization meant to assist women and youth, that she wanted to address woman and distribute relief items to the less privileged in the society.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the offence and was charged to court within 24hrs for the offence of inciting disturbance.
“ii. One of our constitutional responsibilies is to investigate crimes both simple and capital in nature, to this end, the case of Hamdiyya is no exception.
“iii. Therefore, the Commissioner of police urges all citizens to be wary of the kind of information they throw into the public space and refrain from false and misleading information that could ignite disaffection and disrupt the fragile peace the state is enjoying.
“iv. Sokoto State Police command remains resolute in upholding the fundamental human rights while discharging our duty.”
The Police statement contradicts earlier reports that Sidi was arrested for criticizing Governor Ahmad Aliyu on social media and lamenting the state’s insecurity.
Sidi had revealed how gunmen took over villages, displacing women who were then sexually exploited due to poverty and squalor.
The Sokoto State Police Command has urged citizens to refrain from spreading false information that could disrupt the state’s fragile peace, emphasizing its commitment to upholding fundamental human rights.
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