The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has issued a scathing condemnation of individuals who use religion as a shield for violence, declaring that those who kill innocent people while shouting “Allahu Akbar” (God is Great) will not find paradise, but rather eternal suffering.
Speaking at the first triannual meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in Abuja on Tuesday, the Sultan—who serves as the spiritual leader of Nigerian Muslims—delivered a blunt message aimed at de-linking criminality from faith.
“It is Not About Religion”
The Sultan, appearing alongside the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, stressed that the misuse of religious slogans during acts of terror has fueled deep-seated mistrust across the nation.
“Let us get the narrative right. It is not about religion,” the Sultan stated firmly. “Somebody can go to the market, blow his or herself up, kill people and shout ‘Allahu Akbar.’ Yes, God is great, but you are going to hell. They will suffer for taking innocent lives.”
Stripping Criminals of Religious Labels
A major highlight of the Sultan’s address was his call for the media and the public to stop giving criminals “religious identities” that they do not deserve. He argued that labeling perpetrators as “Muslim terrorists” or “Muslim bandits” only serves to stigmatize the entire faith.
- Criminals First: He urged Nigerians to call perpetrators what they are: criminals, regardless of the faith they claim.
- The “Sheikh” Misconception: The Sultan warned against the assumption that knowing Arabic or wearing religious attire confers spiritual authority. “Speaking Arabic doesn’t make you a Sheikh,” he noted, blaming “ignorance and false religious authority” for the radicalization of youth.
The Path to Trust: NIREC’s Unified Stand
The meeting, themed around national healing and security, saw religious leaders from both sides of the divide pledging to work together to dismantle the “narratives of hate” that have plagued Nigeria’s Middle Belt and Northern regions.
Key Themes from the 2026 NIREC Meeting:
- Shared Responsibility: Acknowledging that religious leaders must do more to educate their followers on the true peaceful tenets of their faiths.
- Addressing Insecurity: SGF George Akume emphasized the government’s commitment to providing the security agencies with the tools needed to combat banditry and insurgency.
- National Unity: Archbishop Daniel Okoh echoed the Sultan’s sentiments, calling for a “moral renewal” where justice and peace are prioritized over ethnic or religious leanings.