The Zamfara State Government has strongly denied reports alleging that a 22-year-old woman named Zainab, who reportedly converted to Christianity, is set to face trial in a Sharia Court on Friday.
In a statement released by the spokesperson to the state governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the government described the viral story as entirely false and fabricated, originating from unreliable social media sources aimed at attracting attention and inciting unrest.
“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 tension where there is none.”
The government further confirmed that thorough verification with security agencies and the Grand Khadi of the Zamfara Sharia Court of Appeal revealed that no such case has ever existed or is currently before any Sharia Court in the state.
Authorities also discredited the photograph circulated alongside the story, identifying the woman as Aalia, a resident of Texas, USA—not Zainab from Zamfara.
Calling out the platform behind the story—reportedly Sahara Reporters—the statement accused them of engaging in “yellow journalism” and spreading baseless narratives to sow division and religious strife.
“The question is, where does this perilous and divisive narrative originate? What are its underlying motives?” the spokesperson asked.
The state government urged security agencies to trace the origin of the false report and bring those responsible to justice to prevent further attempts at destabilization.
“We must all do our part to ensure the peace of this country,” the statement concluded.