The Zamfara State Government has denied reports that a young woman is facing trial in a Sharia court for converting from Islam to Christianity.
The false report, which spread on social media, claimed that 22-year-old Zainab Muhamadu would appear in court on Friday. But the state government said there is no such case in Zamfara.
In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, Governor Dauda Lawal described the report as “entirely baseless” and said it came from “dubious online platforms” trying to attract attention with fake and sensational news.
“This is the handiwork of enemies of peace, who are determined to create tension where none exists,” the statement said.
Idris explained that the government immediately contacted relevant authorities and security agencies to check the facts. “It was ultimately confirmed to be a blatant falsehood,” he said.
To make sure, the state also spoke with the Grand Khadi of the Zamfara Sharia Court of Appeal, who confirmed that no such case had ever come before any Sharia court in the state.
“This raises critical questions: Where did this dangerous and divisive narrative come from? What are its motives?” Idris asked.
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He warned that some media platforms now share social media rumours without checking the facts. He also said the photo used in the viral post was not of Zainab but of a woman named Aalia, who lives in Texas, USA.
“The Zamfara State Government believes it is essential to make it clear that nothing of this nature is happening within the state,” Idris said, calling the story a “classic case of yellow journalism.”
He urged Nigerians to reject such false stories and called on security agencies to investigate and punish those responsible.
“We must all do our part to safeguard the peace of this country,” he said.