The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has dismissed claims of genocide against any religious or ethnic group in Nigeria, saying there is no evidence to support such allegations.
Gatekeepers News reports that speaking on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi during the opening ceremony of the Northern Traditional Rulers Assembly Meeting, Kebbi 2025, the Sultan said Nigeria has not witnessed any acts that amount to genocide, whether against Christians or Muslims.
“There is no way someone, whether a Muslim or a Christian, can be killed without the knowledge of the traditional rulers of the community where such a person belongs,” he said.
“I challenge anyone, either within the country or abroad, to provide evidence of any genocide in Nigeria — where, who, and how it happened?”
Warns Against Fake News on Social Media
The Sultan cautioned Nigerians against believing unverified reports, particularly those circulated on social media, which he described as major sources of misinformation and division.
“Most of the information posted on social media is not true,” he said.
“People must verify such information before accepting it as fact.”
He also urged the Federal Government to take urgent steps to regulate the activities of social media users to curb the spread of fake news capable of causing unrest.
Calls for Unity and Collaboration Against Insecurity
Explaining the purpose of the traditional rulers’ meeting, the Sultan said the forum was convened to strengthen community collaboration and develop coordinated strategies to tackle insecurity in Northern Nigeria.
He commended Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State for hosting the event and expressed appreciation to General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, for attending despite his demanding schedule.
Concluding his address, the Sultan called on Nigerians to continue praying for the country’s leaders and to promote unity, peace, and mutual understanding.
“Our diversity should be our strength, not our weakness,” he said. “We must continue to live together in peace and support our leaders to build a better Nigeria.”
