The Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has declared that there is no record of genocide against any group in Nigeria, whether Christian or Muslim.
He made this statement on Tuesday, October 22, during the opening of the Northern Traditional Rulers Assembly Meeting in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
According to the Sultan, the claim that genocide has taken place in Nigeria is false and unfounded.
He challenged anyone, either within or outside the country, to present credible evidence proving otherwise.
“I challenge anyone, either within the country or abroad, to provide evidence of any genocide in Nigeria where, who, and how it happened?” he said.
The respected monarch emphasized that traditional rulers are aware of events in their communities and that no killing occurs without their knowledge.
He also cautioned Nigerians against believing unverified information circulated on social media, warning that false reports could cause unnecessary tension across the country.
“Most of the information posted on social media is not true. People must verify such information before accepting it as fact,” the Sultan warned.
He urged the Federal Government to regulate social media to curb the spread of fake news, describing misinformation as dangerous to national peace and stability.
Speaking further, the Sultan explained that the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Assembly aims to strengthen community collaboration and develop strategies to tackle insecurity in the region.
He said traditional leaders play a crucial role in maintaining peace and promoting inter-communal harmony.
The Sultan commended Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris for hosting the meeting and thanked the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, for attending despite his tight schedule.
He concluded by calling on Nigerians to continue praying for national unity and for the leaders to govern with wisdom and justice.
“Our country needs peace, not division. We must all work together to protect Nigeria’s unity,” he said.
His remarks come amid growing international debate over alleged religious persecution and genocide in Nigeria.
In recent months, both local and international groups have made conflicting claims about violence targeting Christians and Muslims in different parts of the country.
However, the Sultan’s position reinforces the view that Nigeria’s conflicts are complex and often rooted in criminality, politics, and poverty rather than religion or ethnicity.
