Daily Lens Report
The Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has refuted allegations of an ongoing genocide against Christians in northern Nigeria, describing such claims as misleading and aimed at dividing the nation.
Speaking at the Northern Traditional Rulers Council meeting held in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, the Sultan emphasized that Christians and Muslims have coexisted peacefully in the region for generations. He said reports suggesting otherwise were “false and intended to sow discord among people who have long lived as brothers.”
The monarch commended the Nigerian Army for its relentless efforts in combating banditry and insurgency across the northern region and the country. He reaffirmed the traditional rulers’ commitment to supporting both the military and the Federal Government in their ongoing fight against insecurity.
“Without the military, we wouldn’t be here holding this meeting comfortably. We must continue to encourage them to do more,” the Sultan stated.
He also expressed worry over the growing misuse of social media, calling on the Federal Government to put measures in place to regulate online platforms. According to him, misinformation and fake news have become dangerous tools for inciting tension, and he revealed that he had personally been a victim of false information spread online.
In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, urged traditional rulers to strengthen grassroots engagement and community support for the military’s operations. He assured that the days of bandits and insurgents across the country were numbered, declaring: “We will defeat them — they will not defeat us.”
