In a strong rebuttal to growing narratives of ethnic and religious persecution, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has categorically denied the existence of any form of genocide in Nigeria. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Northern Traditional Rulers Assembly Meeting (Kebbi 2025) in Birnin Kebbi, the revered monarch declared that no community, whether Christian or Muslim, has been systematically targeted or subjected to mass atrocities in the country.
“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,” the Sultan asserted, challenging those making such allegations to provide verifiable evidence. “I challenge anyone, either within the country or abroad, to provide evidence of any genocide in Nigeria — where, who, and how it happened?”
His comments came amid ongoing reports on social media suggesting widespread killings of Christians and Muslims across parts of the country. The Sultan, however, dismissed many of these claims as misinformation deliberately designed to stoke ethnic and religious tensions. He cautioned Nigerians against relying on unverified social media content, describing the digital space as a major breeding ground for falsehoods.
“Most of the information posted on social media is not true. People must verify such information before accepting it as fact,” he warned, urging the Federal Government to introduce stricter regulations to curb the misuse of social platforms. He emphasized that unchecked online propaganda poses a grave danger to national peace, unity, and coexistence.
Addressing the purpose of the meeting, the Sultan explained that the assembly of traditional rulers was convened to discuss strategies for enhancing community-level security cooperation across the northern region. He said the meeting was crucial at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with challenges such as banditry, insurgency, and farmer-herder conflicts.
According to him, traditional institutions remain central to peacebuilding and intelligence gathering in local communities. He encouraged rulers to intensify grassroots engagements, share intelligence with security agencies, and lead by example in promoting tolerance among diverse groups.
The Sultan also used the opportunity to commend Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris for hosting the assembly, describing his efforts as a demonstration of commitment to northern unity and development. He equally praised the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, for making time to attend the meeting despite his tight national security schedule — a gesture he said symbolized the growing synergy between traditional leaders and the military in tackling insecurity.
In his closing remarks, Sultan Abubakar called on Nigerians to support their leaders through prayers, patience, and unity. He reiterated that national healing and peacebuilding require collective effort, discipline, and a commitment to truth over sensationalism.
“Our nation will only progress if we stand together as one people,” he said. “We must stop spreading hate and lies, and instead focus on building a country where every citizen, regardless of faith or ethnicity, feels safe, respected, and valued.”
The Kebbi 2025 assembly brought together traditional rulers, security chiefs, religious leaders, and policymakers from across northern Nigeria to deliberate on regional peace, interfaith cooperation, and the role of the monarchy in stabilizing the country amid ongoing security concerns.
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