THE Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has called for an immediate investigation into the alleged killing of an Igbo Muslim Army officer, Colonel Abdur-Razaq AbdulKarim Ode, urging the Federal Government and the Armed Forces to identify those responsible and ensure they are brought to justice.
News Point Nigeria reports that the monarch also condemned what he described as persistent hate speech and hostility targeted at minority Igbo Muslims in the South-East, warning that such actions undermine national unity and efforts towards peaceful coexistence.
In a statement sent to this newspaper on Wednesday by Prince Bashir Adefaka on behalf of the Sultan’s Media Team, the Sultan said the circumstances surrounding the alleged shooting of the senior military intelligence officer at his Abuja residence must be thoroughly investigated.
The Sultan, who is also the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), stressed that the Federal Government and the Armed Forces must get to the root of the incident and ensure that justice is served.
“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,” he said.
The traditional ruler described Colonel Ode as “a fine military intelligence officer” who was respected by members of the Muslim Ummah and traditional communities, particularly in his region.
He urged the government and military authorities to investigate the circumstances that led to the alleged close-range shooting of the officer, as well as reports of an attempted attack on members of his family.
The Sultan said allowing the killing of any Nigerian to remain unresolved without uncovering the truth and prosecuting those responsible was unacceptable, especially when the victim was a serving officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The circumstances surrounding the officer’s death, as well as the reported attempt on the lives of members of his family, must be thoroughly investigated and the appropriate authorities should do the needful,” he said.
Beyond the Colonel Ode incident, the Sultan called for an end to hate speech and attacks against minority groups, including Muslims and Christians, in different parts of the country.
He warned that intolerance and hostility against religious or ethnic minorities were dangerous to national development and could undermine efforts aimed at strengthening unity and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.
The Sultan reiterated the importance of love, tolerance, restraint and mutual respect among citizens, stressing that Nigeria’s diversity should remain a source of strength rather than division.
He prayed for Allah to forgive the late Colonel AbdulKarim Ode and grant him Al-Jannatul Firdaus.