The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, has denounced the Christmas Eve massacre in several Plateau State communities, expressing deep concern over the failure of security agencies to anticipate and prevent the tragic loss of over 100 lives.
During the closing ceremony of the 80th National Islamic Vacation Course at the Air Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi, the Sultan condemned the recurring clashes, urging the government and security agencies to adopt a more proactive stance in intelligence gathering.
He emphasized that bandits and terrorists seem to outpace the government’s strategies.
“In various places, whether it is Sokoto, Birni Kebbi or in Kaduna or anywhere. Have we lost our sense of gathering information to avert any of such heinous crimes? We must ask our governments to up the game because these bandits are always a step ahead.”
Expressing dismay at the politicization of insecurity, he cautioned against attributing these events to religious bias and urged a focus on leadership and concerted efforts to improve the security situation in Nigeria.
“For some of us who were opportune of serving in the military, we know the activities of the security agencies, so we keep on asking, what really is happening? Things are politicised and that’s the worst way to go when you politicise insecurity.
“We’re all in one big country where we have poverty. Yes, Muslims, Christians and even people who don’t have religion, go to the same market, they buy the same foodstuffs, they enter the same vehicles, pay the same fares, so it is not the issue of religion. Let’s not say that anybody is planning this against Christians or against Muslims. No, it is the issue of leadership, he emphasized, calling for unity and collective action in addressing the country’s challenges.
Sultan Abubakar concluded by reiterating the need for hope, urging all to hold leaders accountable for the safety and well-being of the nation.
