The Sultan of Sokoto, Alh. Sa’ad Abubakar has condemned the recent attack in Plateau State communities where over 155 people were killed during Christmas day, urging the government to up its games instead of just condemning the incessant attacks.
Sultan who admitted that Nigeria has serious issues of insecurity said that just a couple of days back, “there were these clashes in Plateau over 100 lives were lost. Why do we keep on having these clashes? Why do we keep on having these deaths caused by ourselves? Just a couple of weeks back the Tudu Biri issue was still fresh with us now the one on the Plateau.”
He addressed attendees during the conclusion of the 8th National Islamic Vocational Course (IVC) at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium on Wednesday. The event was organized by the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN).
He said: “We always condemn such things but after condemning such activities by these bandits and criminals, what next? What are the roles of the government who are supposed to protect lives and property? Why can’t we be proactive and stop such attacks before they happen? What happened to our intelligence-gathering mechanism?
“Can anybody tell me that no one knew such attacks were coming on? In various places, whether in Sokoto or Birnin Kebbi or Kaduna or anywhere, have we lost our sense of intelligence information to avert any of such crimes? We must ask our government to up the game because these bandits are always a step ahead.
“For some of us who are opportuned to serve in the military we know what the activities of these security agencies are. So we keep on asking questions about what is really happening. Things are politicised and that is the worst way to go when you politicize insecurity. We are all in one big country where we have poverty, yes.”
He emphasized that Muslims, Christians, and those without religious affiliation all frequent the same market, purchase the same groceries, and use the same transportation. He asserted, “so it’s not an issue of religion. Anybody planning anything against Muslims, no. Against Christians, no. It is an issue of leadership and I have said this many times. Let’s have confidence in the leadership that within the next few, years, or months, something will change. Let’s keep on having hope because the moment you lose hope I’m telling you, you’re finished.”
“We must call on our leaders to rise up to the occasion, things are not right and where things are not right anything can happen. But as Muslims, we believe in Almighty Allah who does what He wants to do when he wants to do so. Let’s continue with our prayers. Let’s pray and as we pray we will put pressure on our leaders. Let’s not leave our leaders with their own problems.
“I call on all our leaders to fear Almighty God who is going to ask you what you did with your leadership here on earth. All of us will go and answer the Almighty Allah.
“Let’s wake up. The time to sleep in deep slumber is over.”