- Safiu Kehinde
Bashir Ahmad, Digital Media Aide to former Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, has accused Sahara Reporters of manipulating story of woman allegedly set to face trial in a Sharia court in Zamfara for converting from Islam to Christianity.
NPO Reported that the said lady identified in the report as Zainab Muhammadu, was arrested by authorities following discovery of her conversion.
While the report claimed the 22-year-old lady’s arraignment before the Sharia court was confirmed by family sources, the Zamfara State government debunked the claims, stressing that the story is fake and manipulated.
The state government, in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, further noted that the woman whose picture was used in the report was not Nigerian but a US citizen name Aalia from Texas.
Reacting to the development, Ahmad took to his X handle on Tuesday to firstly clarify that the lady in question is a US citizen of Malian descent while attaching the video where the screenshot used in the story was taken.
“This is the original video in which Sahara Reporters shamelessly took a screenshot of this lady, Aaliyah, and falsely claimed her name was Zainab Muhammad from Zamfara State, and also fabricated a fake story that she was going to be charged in a Sharia court for renouncing Islam.
“In reality, Aaliyah isn’t even a Nigerian. She is originally from Mali and a citizen of the United States.” Ahmad wrote.
The ex-presidential aide further stated that the lady, as captured in the video, was not talking about renouncing Islam.
He accused Sahara Reporters of pushing a fake narrative to stir controversy and provoke hatred toward Islam and the North.
“In the video, she wasn’t also talking about renouncing Islam. But Sahara Reporters, in their usual reckless and wicked fashion, twisted the story, changed her identity, and pushed a fake narrative just to stir controversy and provoke hatred toward Islam and the North.” He added.
In a separate post shared on X on Wednesday, Ahmad further slammed Sahara Reporters and The Guardian for publishing a fabricated story.
He also faulted the media outlet’s change of the picture rather than apologizing or retracting the publication.
“Sahara Reporters and everyone associated with the platform are a complete disgrace to the profession of journalism. You have once again proven that you are not guided by any principles of journalism, ethics or basic human decency.
“You published a completely fabricated story, claiming that a woman named Zainab Muhammad was facing trial in Zamfara for converting to Christianity.
“To push your lie, you stole a photo of an innocent American citizen, Aaliyah, and passed her off as your imaginary “Zainab.” The woman herself came out and debunked the story, stating clearly that she has never been to Nigeria and has not renounced her religion.
“Instead of apologizing or retracting your lies responsibly, you quietly deleted the post, only to bring the story back again hours later without Aaliyah’s photo. The Zamfara State Government had to even issue an official statement to debunk the viral claim.
“The Governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, confirmed that no such case exists, and that the story was entirely fabricated by you and the @GuardianNigeria. The Grand Khadi of the state’s Sharia court also confirmed that no such matter has ever come before any court in the state.
“And the most ridiculous part is that we found out this morning that your entire report was based on a random Facebook post from one Moses Eskor from Akwa Ibom. That was your “source.” No verification, no investigation, just copy, paste, and publish, when you are fully aware of the chaos such misinformation would cause.
“To be honest, we all know that this is not accidental, it is a calculated attempt to stir hate, provoke religious tension, and provide a platform for Islam, Muslims, and the North to be insulted and ridiculed.” He wrote.