Sultan of Sokoto Demands Probe into Killing of 'Igbo Muslim' Army Officer, Condemns Discrimination

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has demanded an immediate investigation into the recent killing of an army officer, identified as Colonel Abdussalam Ude. The Sultan, who also serves as the President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, condemned what he described as ongoing hate and discrimination targeting minority Igbo Muslims in Nigeria's Southeast.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Sultan urged an end to attacks on religious minorities across the country. He characterized the hostility faced by minority Igbo Muslims in the Southeast as a significant setback to national unity. The Sultan called upon the Federal Government and the Armed Forces to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding Colonel Ude's death.

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The Federal Government and the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria have gotten to put heads together and get to the roots of circumstances that led to the shooting at alleged close range of Army Colonel Abdur-Razaq AbdlKarim Ode, a fine military intelligence officer that both Muslim Ummah and traditional communities in the country, especially the region he hailed from, were proud of.

"The Federal Government and the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria have gotten to put heads together and get to the roots of circumstances that led to the shooting at alleged close range of Army Colonel Abdur-Razaq AbdlKarim Ode, a fine military intelligence officer that both Muslim Ummah and traditional communities in the country, especially the region he hailed from, were proud of," the statement read. The Sultan stressed that the failure to investigate the killing of any Nigerian, particularly a serving military officer, would undermine national development efforts.

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To allow the killing of any single Nigerian soul taken out without getting to the root of the cause and bringing the culprits to justice with a view to disallowing a repeat of the same is not a good way to talk about a serious country, much more when the life extrajudicially taken is that of a soldier of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"To allow the killing of any single Nigerian soul taken out without getting to the root of the cause and bringing the culprits to justice with a view to disallowing a repeat of the same is not a good way to talk about a serious country, much more when the life extrajudicially taken is that of a soldier of the Federal Republic of Nigeria," he added. The Sultan also called for an end to hate speech and attacks against minority religious groups, emphasizing the Islamic principles of love, peaceful coexistence, tolerance, and restraint.

He prayed for the repose of Colonel Ude's soul and urged for divine mercy. The call for an investigation follows the reported killing of the senior military officer during a suspected kidnap attempt at his residence in Abuja. The Sultan's statement highlighted that Colonel Abdulrasaq Abdussalam Ude was a respected figure in both Muslim and traditional communities.

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As Muslims, we continue to act by showing love and encouraging peaceful coexistence, tolerance, unity and restraint as enjoined upon us by Islamic rules, regulations and guidance laid down for us in the Glorious Qur’an.