By Prosper Mene
The Zamfara State Government has strongly refuted viral social media reports claiming that a 22-year-old woman, Zainab Muhamadu, faces trial in a Sharia court for converting from Islam to Christianity. In an official statement released on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, Sulaiman Bala Idris, spokesperson for Governor Dauda Lawal, described the story as “mischievous fake news” spread by individuals aiming to incite religious tension.
The government clarified that no such case exists before any Sharia court in Zamfara State, emphasizing that the claims are entirely fabricated. Authorities, including the Grand Khadi of the Zamfara Sharia Court of Appeal, were consulted to verify the story, which was confirmed to be false. The statement also revealed that the image accompanying the viral report, falsely presented as Zainab, was of an American woman named Aalia from Texas, misappropriated to fuel the narrative.
“The Zamfara State Government has acted swiftly by summoning all relevant authorities and security agencies to verify the authenticity of the story, which ultimately proved to be a blatant falsehood,” Idris said, attributing the report to an online platform notorious for spreading unverified content, specifically naming Sahara Reporters as the source.
The government condemned the spread of misinformation, criticizing media platforms for republishing unverified social media content without due diligence. “This is a clear example of yellow journalism that should be condemned by all well-meaning citizens,” the statement noted, highlighting the potential of such reports to disrupt peace and stir religious tension in Zamfara and Nigeria at large.
Zamfara authorities have called on security agencies to investigate the origins of the false report and prosecute those responsible, aiming to deter future misinformation. The government reiterated its commitment to maintaining peace and urged the public to verify information before sharing.
