There is no Christian genocide in the North – Sultan of Sokoto

The Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the NorthernTraditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has dismissed claims ofan ongoing genocide against Christians in northern Nigeria, describing suchallegations as false and divisive. The monarch said Christians and Muslims have coexistedpeacefully for centuries in the North, adding that reports suggesting otherwiseare deliberate attempts to create tension and disunity among the people. “From time immemorial, Christians and Muslims have lived asbrothers in the North. These allegations are false and are merely aimed atsowing discord among the inseparable faithful,” he stated. Speaking at the meeting of the Northern Traditional RulersCouncil held in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, the Sultan commended the NigerianArmy for its sustained efforts in tackling banditry and insurgency across thenorthern region and the country at large. He reaffirmed the traditional rulers’ support for themilitary and the Federal Government in their continued fight againstinsecurity. “Without the military, we wouldn’t be here holding thismeeting comfortably. Therefore, we must encourage them to do more,” he said. The Sultan also expressed concern over the reckless use ofsocial media, urging the Federal Government to take steps to regulate its use.He revealed that he had personally been a victim of misinformation circulatedonline. Earlier, the Chief of Defence Staff, General ChristopherMusa, in his keynote address, called on traditional rulers to deepen communityengagement in support of the military’s operations against insurgents andbandits. “The days of bandits and insurgents in the Northeast,Northwest, and across the country are numbered. We will defeat them — they willnot defeat us,” he declared. General Musa stressed that the fight against insecurityrequires collective effort, noting that traditional institutions play a crucialrole in restoring peace and stability. Declaring the meeting open, the Governor of Kebbi State, Dr.Nasir Idris, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare oftraditional rulers and support for the armed forces. He debunked reports that the state government had hired aninternational security organization to combat banditry. “We did not hire any international company or organizationto fight banditry in Kebbi. Instead, we have supported the military throughdonations of operational vehicles, motorcycles, and logistics to aid theiroperations,” he said. Prominent royal fathers at the meeting included the Sultanof Sokoto, the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Illiyasu Bashar; the Shehu of Borno,Alhaji Abubakar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi; and other emirs from the 19 northernstates.

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