Zamfara Reacts To Report of Alleged Sharia Trial Of Christian Convert
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that The Zamfara State Government has refuted a viral report claiming that a woman named Zainab Muhamadu, allegedly a Christian convert, is set to face trial in a Sharia court for changing her religion.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Sulaiman Idris, spokesperson to Governor Dauda Lawal, the government dismissed the report as entirely false and described it as a fabrication from social media sources seeking traffic and sensationalism.
According to the statement, thorough investigations revealed that no such case exists in any Sharia Court within Zamfara State.
“The attention of the Zamfara State Government has been drawn to mischievous fake news circulating about a 22-year-old Miss Zainab Muhamadu, who is facing the death penalty for converting to Christianity,” the statement read.
“We want to categorically state that it is the handiwork of enemies of peace, who are hellbent on creating a tension where there is none. The fake news, which was spread on social media by an online platform notorious for circulating unverified stories and falsehoods, is nothing more than a failed attempt to disrupt peace.”
The government further explained that it consulted with all relevant authorities and security agencies, including the Grand Khadi of the Zamfara Sharia Court of Appeal, who confirmed that “there has never been such a case before any Shari’a court in Zamfara State.”
Raising concerns over the intent behind the story, the statement questioned: “The question is, where does this perilous and divisive narrative originate? What are its underlying motives? What do those promoting this story hope to accomplish in the long run?”
It also criticised media platforms that disseminate unverified content, saying: “Media platforms that should provide the public with verified stories are becoming complacent, merely copying and pasting content from social media accounts eager for likes and comments.”
The government clarified that the woman whose photo was used in the report is not Nigerian, but an American named Aalia from Texas.
“The Zamfara State Government believes it is essential to clarify that nothing of this nature is happening in the state. This situation exemplifies yellow journalism that we must all denounce,” the statement continued.
Concluding, the government called on security agencies to trace the origin of the false story and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
“We urge the relevant security agencies to investigate the source of this fake, misguided story, which seeks to create significant religious tension, and prosecute anyone found responsible. We must all do our part to ensure the peace of this country,” the statement concluded.
