A Nigerian court ruled that a religious police unit lacked jurisdiction to arrest a woman for converting to Christianity.
Alliance Defending Freedom International, which supported the woman’s legal battle, identified the 22-year-old only as Sarah.
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ADF International states that the Federal High Court’s decision “curbs the reach of Sharia enforcement units operating in northern Nigeria.”
ADF International explains that Sarah fled from Nigeria’s Kano state in 2025 from older siblings who were abusing her and trying to force her to marry. At the siblings’ behest, the local Hisbah police (which enforces Islamic law) arrested, detained and beat Sarah to pressure her into the marriage.
After her release, she took refuge with a Christian family and put her faith in Jesus Christ. The family helped Sarah relocate in early 2026, and the siblings accused them of kidnapping Sarah, says ADF International.
In May, a court in another state ruled favorably on the “rights enforcement petition” Sarah filed. The court also forbids Kano state and Hisbah from arresting her for converting or for refusing to marry.
The court further “ordered financial compensation for these violations against her rights,” reports ADF International.
The legal group is also supporting the defense of the family that gave Sarah refuge.
World Watch
Nigeria is No. 7 on Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List of the 50 places most difficult to be a Christian.
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