The Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Tuesday refuted claims of an ongoing genocide against Christians in northern Nigeria, describing such allegations as unfounded and aimed at dividing the nation.
The clarification follows recent claims by US Senator Ted Cruz during a podcast with television host Bill Maher, asserting that Christians in Nigeria were being “systematically targeted and killed.” Maher and political commentator Van Jones also echoed these assertions, accusing the Nigerian government of complicity.
Reacting to the claims, the Federal Government described the allegations as false and malicious propaganda intended to tarnish Nigeria’s international image. Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, speaking in Abuja at the National Unveiling of the World Public Relations Forum, said the claim was part of a foreign-sponsored campaign to sow division and weaken national unity.
Addressing the General Assembly of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, the Sultan emphasized that Christians and Muslims have coexisted peacefully in the North for generations. He warned that reports of genocide were deliberately designed to create mistrust and disunity.
“From time immemorial, Christians and Muslims have lived as brothers in the North. These allegations are false and are merely aimed at sowing discord among the inseparable faithful,” the Sultan said.
He also commended the Nigerian military for its efforts in combating banditry and insurgency across the North, acknowledging the sacrifices of security personnel in maintaining peace. The monarch reaffirmed the unwavering support of traditional rulers for the Armed Forces and the Federal Government in ongoing operations to restore stability.
Highlighting the dangers of misinformation, the Sultan cautioned against the misuse of social media, noting that false and inflammatory content often fuels tension. He urged the Federal Government to introduce measures to regulate the spread of fake news, revealing that he had personally been a victim of such misinformation.
In his keynote address, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa praised the cooperation of traditional institutions in the fight against insecurity and called for stronger community engagement to support military operations. “The days of bandits and insurgents in the Northeast, Northwest, and across the country are numbered. We will defeat them — they will not defeat us,” Musa declared. He stressed that overcoming security challenges requires collective effort, with traditional rulers playing a critical role in promoting peace and stability.
Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting both the military and traditional institutions. He dismissed reports that the state had engaged an international security firm to combat banditry, clarifying that the government had instead provided operational vehicles, motorcycles, and logistics to aid military operations.
Among the dignitaries present were the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Illiyasu Bashar; the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi; and several emirs from the 19 northern states, who joined the Sultan in reaffirming their collective commitment to peace, unity, and national cohesion.
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