The Zamfara State Government has strongly refuted a widely circulated online report claiming that a 22-year-old woman named Zainab Muhamadu is facing the death penalty for converting to Christianity in the state. In a detailed statement issued by the spokesperson for the governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the government described the story as entirely false and a deliberate attempt to incite religious tension and unrest.
Idris clarified that a thorough investigation involving relevant security agencies and judicial authorities has confirmed that no such case exists before any Sharia court in Zamfara State. According to him, the story was fabricated by an online platform known for spreading unverified and misleading content, with the sole purpose of attracting traffic and creating public unrest.
“The attention of the Zamfara State Government has been drawn to a malicious and baseless report alleging that a young woman is facing execution for changing her religion. We categorically dismiss this as a fabrication designed to stir unnecessary panic and division,” the statement read.
The government stressed that it had swiftly acted to verify the claim by consulting with key legal authorities, including the Grand Khadi of the Zamfara Sharia Court of Appeal, who confirmed that no such case has ever been recorded in the state.
In a further clarification, the statement disclosed that the image of the woman used in the report is not even that of a Nigerian citizen. The individual in the photo was identified as Aalia, a resident of Texas, United States, thereby disproving any link to Zamfara or Nigeria at large.
“The origin of such a dangerous and divisive narrative raises serious concerns. We must question the intent of those circulating such falsehoods and the potential harm they aim to cause,” Idris added.
He went on to criticize modern media platforms for their increasing reliance on unverified social media content, accusing some of engaging in “yellow journalism” that prioritizes sensationalism over facts.
The Zamfara State Government concluded its statement by calling on security agencies to launch a full-scale investigation to trace the source of the fake news and hold those responsible accountable. The government reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace and urged the public to reject misleading information capable of threatening national unity.
