Hamdiyya, aged 18, was said to have left her home around 10:00 am to buy foodstuffs but has not been seen since.

Amnesty International Nigeria has demanded a full investigation into the disappearance of teenage activist Hamdiyya Sidi Shariff, who went missing on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Sokoto State.

Hamdiyya, aged 18, was said to have left her home around 10:00 am to buy foodstuffs but has not been seen since.

Her lawyer, Abba Hikima, raised the alarm in a Facebook post on Wednesday, saying, “She went out to buy foodstuffs in Sokoto and has not been seen since. The Sokoto State Police has already been informed.”

Her legal team and family have reported the matter to security agencies and the magistrate court where she is facing trial.

She was expected to appear in court on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, to continue her case.

Hamdiyya is currently standing trial on charges of “using insulting or abusive language” and “inciting disturbance” over a TikTok video in which she criticised the administration of Governor Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State.

Her arrest in November 2024, followed by a secret arraignment and alleged physical assault by state agents, sparked widespread condemnation from human rights groups.

Reacting to the development, Amnesty International issued a statement on Wednesday, expressing grave concern over her sudden disappearance.

“Amnesty International is deeply concerned by the disappearance of Hamdiyya Sidi Shariff — who Sokoto state government charged with the ‘use of insulting or abusive language’ and ‘inciting disturbance’ for criticising the governor of Sokoto state Mr Ahmed Aliyu,” the statement read.

“According to her lawyers Abba Hikima & Co, Hamdiyya left home to buy foodstuff yesterday 20 May 2025 at 10:00am and since then nothing has been heard from her or about her.”

The organisation lamented that Hamdiyya’s “lawyers and family have already reported the matter to security agencies in Sokoto and the court where she is standing trial”.

“Hamdiyya is supposed to appear in court today 21 May 2025 in continuation of her trial before a magistrate court,” it said.

“The Nigerian authorities must urgently investigate and determine exactly what happened and the whereabouts of Hamdiyya Sidi Sharif.”

The case has drawn national attention, with many linking her disappearance to the political and legal harassment she has allegedly faced for months.