The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), Nigeria, has issued a scathing condemnation of Sahara Reporters over what it described as a “reckless, dishonest and profoundly irresponsible” publication that falsely claimed a young woman in Zamfara State was sentenced to death for converting to Christianity.
In a strongly worded press release titled “Sahara Reporters’ Irresponsible Journalism: A Dangerous Affront to Public Decency and National Peace,” MPAC denounced the article as a blatant act of disinformation crafted to ignite religious tension and destabilize Nigeria’s fragile social fabric.
The now-deleted report alleged that one “Zainab Muhamadu” faced capital punishment in a Shari’ah court, and it included a photograph of a woman identified as Aalia Reeves.
However, MPAC revealed that Reeves is in fact an American citizen with no ties to Nigeria, whose image and identity were “crudely manipulated to manufacture a sensationalist headline.”
“Aalia Reeves has since publicly debunked the story, clarifying that she is not Nigerian and has never even visited the country,” MPAC stated. “The Zamfara State Government also moved swiftly to expose the lie for what it is – a calculated piece of mischief borne out of mischief-makers and disseminated through Sahara Reporters and other unserious media blogs who fed on it for traffic, clicks, and chaos.”
According to MPAC, this was no case of hasty journalism but rather “an orchestrated attack on public trust, decency, and Nigeria’s delicate social fabric.” The organization expressed outrage that Sahara Reporters quietly deleted the post without issuing a retraction, clarification, or apology to the public or the individuals and communities affected.
“This is yellow journalism at its most dangerous,” MPAC declared. “It undermines not only the ethics of media practice but also the efforts of countless Nigerians working daily to promote peaceful coexistence, mutual understanding, and national unity.”
Calling Sahara Reporters a “repeat offender and purveyor of fake news,” MPAC demanded immediate corrective actions, including:
A public and unreserved apology to the general public, the Zamfara State Government, the Muslim community, and especially to Ms. Aalia Reeves.
A formal retraction of the false report with equal prominence as the original.
A commitment to ethical journalism, involving rigorous fact-checking and editorial oversight.
An investigation by media regulatory authorities and the imposition of sanctions to deter future misconduct.
MPAC emphasized the critical role of responsible journalism in a diverse and multi-religious nation like Nigeria. “We must remind ourselves that this country, with its deeply diverse people, cannot afford the luxury of irresponsible journalism, when media houses abandon truth in the pursuit of virality, thus becoming enablers of hatred and destruction.”
Disu Kamor, Executive Chairman of MPAC, signed off with a call for collective action, saying “MPAC remains committed to promoting interfaith dialogue, understanding, and peaceful coexistence. We urge all stakeholders to join us in condemning irresponsible reporting and working towards a more harmonious and united Nigeria.”
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