Zamfara: How False Claim About Religious Conversion Threatens Fragile Peace
By Daniel Otera
A recent viral story alleging that a 22-year-old woman in Zamfara was set to face trial under Sharia law for converting to Christianity has been roundly debunked by the Zamfara State Government, exposing a deeper challenge at the intersection of religious sensitivity, disinformation, media accountability, and Nigeria’s democratic values.
The report, which originated from social media and was later amplified by some online platforms, claimed that a woman identified as Zainab Muhamadu was due to appear before a Shari’ah court in Zamfara State on charges linked to her conversion to Christianity. It also sensationally claimed she was facing the death penalty. But in a statement issued by Sulaiman Bala Idris, spokesperson for Governor Dauda Lawal. the Zamfara State Government has dismissed the story as “completely false” and “a failed attempt to disrupt peace.”
“The attention of the Zamfara State Government has been drawn to mischievous fake news… which ultimately proved to be a blatant falsehood created by Sahara Reporters,” said Sulaiman Bala Idris, spokesperson for Governor Dauda Lawal, in an official statement released on 20 May 2025.
To verify the authenticity of the claim, the government said it engaged all relevant security and judicial authorities. The Grand Khadi of the Zamfara Shari’ah Court of Appeal reportedly confirmed that “there has never been such a case before any Shari’a court in Zamfara State.” Moreover, the woman whose photo was circulated is reportedly not Nigerian, but an American named Aalia from Texas, whose photo was used without her consent.
The Anatomy of a Viral Falsehood
This episode reveals troubling gaps in Nigeria’s media ecosystem, particularly in the spread of unverified reports concerning religious issues. The report mimicked the hallmarks of yellow journalism: emotionally charged, unverified, and dangerous. According to the 2023 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Nigeria ranked 123rd out of 180 countries. This position underscores the persistent challenges journalists face in the country, including government interference, harassment, and the proliferation of disinformation, particularly on social media platforms. RSF highlighted that Nigeria remains one of West Africa’s most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists, who are regularly monitored, attacked, and arbitrarily arrested.
Although the report was rebutted, its potential for harm cannot be understated. Nigeria has a long, troubled history of violence rooted in religious divisions, especially in the northern region. Between 2010 and 2020, over 60,000 people were killed across Nigeria’s 18 northern states due to various forms of insecurity, including religious extremism, according to a report by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) titled “Multiple Nodes, Common Cause: National Stocktake of Contemporary Insecurity and State Responses in Nigeria.” The report, published in 2022, highlighted that misinformation, ethnic profiling, and religious propaganda have often served as triggers for large-scale violence.
Further data from the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa reveals that between October 2019 and September 2023, Nigeria experienced more than 11,000 incidents of extreme violence, resulting in close to 56,000 deaths. Of these fatalities, at least 16,769 were Christian civilians, underscoring the religious undertones of many of these attacks.
“We are living in intriguing times,” said the Zamfara State Governor’s spokesman, Idris. “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.”
Human Rights and Constitutional Context
Religious freedom is a fundamental human right enshrined in Nigeria’s supreme legal document the 1999 Constitution. Section 38(1) explicitly guarantees:
“Every person shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance.”
Beyond national law, Nigeria is also bound by international legal commitments. As a signatory to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Nigeria upholds Article 8 of the Charter, which states:
“Freedom of conscience, the profession and free practice of religion shall be guaranteed. No one may, subject to law and order, be submitted to measures restricting the exercise of these freedoms.”
The Charter, which has the force of law in Nigeria, reinforces the country’s obligation to protect citizens’ right to religious expression. The African Union’s official publication of the Charter provides further context.
These provisions are central to Nigeria’s democratic values and must be respected by all state and non-state actors, especially in matters as sensitive as religion.
Despite Nigeria’s plural legal system, claims that a person could face the death penalty for religious conversion in Zamfara or any other northern state lack legal foundation. While Shari’ah courts are operational in 12 northern Nigerian states, including Zamfara, their constitutional authority is strictly limited.
According to Sections 275 and 277 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Shari’ah courts of appeal are empowered to adjudicate only civil matters involving Islamic personal law. These typically include issues such as marriage, inheritance, and guardianship and apply solely to Muslims who voluntarily submit to their jurisdiction.
Independent analyses have further clarified this point. A Human Rights Watch report explains that “Shari’ah courts in Nigeria, as permitted by the Constitution, cannot extend to criminal trials involving religious conversion.”
Nonetheless, some state-level interpretations of Shari’ah have controversially attempted to expand their jurisdiction to include criminal provisions. Scholars and legal analysts have repeatedly argued that such expansion directly conflicts with constitutional guarantees of religious freedom under Section 38, which states that every Nigerian has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion including the right to change their religion or belief.
“The Nigerian Constitution does not recognise any state religion or any law that violates the rights of citizens to practise any faith of their choosing,” notes an expert commentary on ConstitutionNet.
Therefore, any viral claims suggesting that a Christian convert could face death by Shari’ah court decree are not only legally implausible but constitutionally untenable.
Digital Manipulation and the Weaponisation of Faith
This incident also raises concerns about the weaponisation of identity and faith in digital spaces. The viral story comes against the backdrop of growing political, ethnic, and religious polarisation in Nigeria. Experts warn that unchecked digital disinformation could erode national cohesion.
According to a 2018 survey by NOI Polls, 93% of Nigerians believe that fake news is a serious problem in the country, with social media identified as the primary source of misinformation. The survey highlighted the need for increased public awareness and media literacy to combat the spread of false information.
In a global context, the Reuters Institute’s Digital News Report 2024 indicates that concern about distinguishing real from fake news online has risen by 3 percentage points over the past year, with approximately 59% of respondents expressing concern. While this figure represents a global average, it underscores the growing challenge of misinformation in the digital age.
In response to these challenges, Nigerian authorities, including the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), have consistently urged citizens to verify information before sharing, especially content that could incite tension or disrupt peace. In this case, the Zamfara Government’s prompt response helped mitigate the spread of the story, but it underscores a systemic vulnerability: the lack of digital literacy among grassroots citizens and insufficient media gatekeeping in a democracy where tensions can be weaponized.
From Grassroots to Federal Responsibility
The duty to protect citizens from false narratives does not lie solely with state governments. The federal government, through agencies like the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Nigeria Police Force, must also ensure that democratic values are upheld across the federation.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Nigeria affirms that freedom of religion and protection from discrimination are fundamental rights enshrined in the nation’s Constitution. Section 38 guarantees every individual the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, including the freedom to change one’s religion or belief. Additionally, Section 42 prohibits discrimination on grounds such as religion, ensuring equal protection for all citizens.
The NHRC actively promotes these rights through public education and community engagement. By collaborating with faith-based organisations, civil society groups, and non-governmental organisations, the Commission organises seminars and workshops aimed at sensitising the public about their rights and fostering a culture of tolerance and mutual respect.
In an era where misinformation can rapidly spread via social media, equipping grassroots communities with the knowledge and tools to critically assess viral stories is crucial. Such empowerment helps prevent the escalation of communal unrest and reinforces the principles of democracy and human rights at all levels of society.
As Idris stated, “We must all do our part to ensure the peace of this country.”
At its heart, this episode is not just a story about Zamfara or one woman allegedly on trial, it is a cautionary tale about the cost of disinformation in a fragile Country. Religious identity remains a powerful force in Nigeria, one that must be handled with the utmost responsibility by the media, civil society, and political leaders alike. False narratives, especially those that invoke faith and fear, must not be allowed to undermine peace, fundamental human rights, and democratic institutions. The time has come for Nigeria to invest more deeply in media accountability, civic education, and digital hygiene not just from the top, but from the grassroots upwards.
