Tantancewa Fact-Checkers have spotted a viral post and a news story published by
majorly online newspapers, blogs and social media users. The story stated that, one,
Zainab Muhamadu is facing a death penalty as she appears before a Sharia court on
Friday, May 23, 2025 for converting to Christianity from Islam. Many Facebook users
have published the story with a picture of a young lady identified as Zainab Muhamadu.
Users like Japheth Cyril Awan, Wa’azin Kalmar YESU Almasihu, Omeke Sunday
Chukwudi, De Ancestors and a blog, Nairaland alongside several others have published
the story.
Fact:
An investigation carried out by Tantacewa Fact-Checkers established that the viral
story involving a young lady called Zainab Muhamadu who is widely portrayed as facing
death penalty for converting to Christianity from Islam is fake. No such incident
happened in Zamfara state, Nigeria. Two press statements made available to Tantancewa
and signed separately by Zamfara state Governor’s Spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris
and Reverend Joseph John Hayab, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)
northern chapter all confirmed the story is fake. The young lady whose picture was
widely shared and identified as Zainab Muhamadu is based in the United States and her
name is Aaliya, she is not a Nigerian let alone from being Zamfara state. The public is
urged to kindly treat the story as fake, disregard and stop sharing it.
Zamfara state Governor’s Spokesperson statement reads in part:
“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.
“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 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 created by Sahara Reporters.
“To ensure accountability and certainty, the state government has confirmed with the
Grand Khadi of the Zamfara Sharia Court of Appeal regarding any similar cases. He
stated that there has never been such a case before any Shari’a court in Zamfara State.”
Another similar statement signed by Rev. Dr. Joseph John Hayab, Chairman, Christian
Association of Nigeria (CAN) 19 Northern States and the FCT confirmed the falsity of
the story. In part, the statement added:
“For now, based on the assurances provided by the Zamfara State Government and the
stated confirmation that no crime has been committed for exercising right to freedom of
religion, Christians across the country should take note that no arraignment involving
Miss Zainab is currently underway. This, for now, puts the matter to rest – unless and
until verified facts indicate otherwise.”
“We further commend the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS)
and his team, as well as traditional rulers, youth leaders, religious figures, and security
agencies in Zamfara State for their cooperation and maturity in handling the situation.
Their collective efforts in seeking the truth and maintaining peace deserve recognition.”
Conclusion:
The viral story claiming that, one, Zainab Muhamadu is facing death penalty for
converting to Christianity from Islam as she appears before a Shariah court on Friday is
fake. The young lady whose picture was widely shared and identified as Zainab
Muhamadu is based in the United States and her name is Aaliya, she is not a Nigerian let
alone from being Zamfara state. The public is urged to kindly treat the story as fake,
disregard and stop sharing it.
