The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) Nigeria has launched a blistering condemnation of Sahara Reporters, accusing the platform of publishing a fabricated and highly dangerous story falsely claiming that a young woman in Zamfara State was to be executed under Shari’ah law for converting to Christianity.
In what it described as a “deliberate act of disinformation,” MPAC stated that Sahara Reporters maliciously identified the woman as “Zainab Muhamadu” and used the image of an unrelated American citizen, Aalia Reeves, to falsely frame a sensational narrative designed to provoke outrage, ignite religious tension, and destabilize Nigeria’s fragile social balance.
“This was not a mistake. It was a complete fabrication, an orchestrated attack on public trust, social harmony, and national decency,” MPAC said in its official statement posted on X.
Aalia Reeves, the American woman whose image was used in the viral post, has since publicly debunked the story, confirming she is not Nigerian and has never visited the country. The Zamfara State Government also promptly denied the report, calling it “a calculated piece of mischief born out of recklessness and distributed through Sahara Reporters and unserious media blogs.”
MPAC, in its detailed press release, declared Sahara Reporters a repeat offender in spreading falsehoods and “mischief dressed as journalism.” The Centre demanded the following, without ambiguity:
• A public and unreserved apology from Sahara Reporters to the general public, the Zamfara State Government, the Muslim community, and especially to Ms. Reeves.
• A formal retraction of the fake news story, with the same visibility and prominence as the original report.
• A firm commitment to ethical journalism practices, including fact-checking, editorial accountability, and a respect for public truth.
“This is yellow journalism at its most dangerous. It disrespects the principles of responsible reporting and threatens the tireless efforts of Nigerians working daily for peace and national unity,” MPAC warned.
The Centre called on the Nigerian government and media regulatory authorities to investigate the breach and impose punitive sanctions that will serve as a deterrent to similar actions by any media house.
“We urge the government to hold peddlers of fake news and religious propaganda accountable. Media platforms that promote such lies cannot be allowed to operate without consequence,” it said.
MPAC emphasized that journalism must be a force for unity, not division, and called on the public to remain vigilant against disinformation.
“Nigeria cannot afford the luxury of reckless media practices driven by virality. The press must return to its noble ideals, truth, accountability, and service to public good,” the Centre concluded.
The press release was signed by the Executive Chairman of MPAC, Disu Kamor, who reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to interfaith dialogue, peaceful coexistence, and the protection of national harmony.
