The Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has strongly refuted allegations suggesting that Christians are being subjected to genocide in Northern Nigeria.
Speaking at the General Assembly of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, the revered monarch described the claims as “false, divisive, and dangerous,” stressing that they were designed to sow discord among Nigerians.
According to Hobnob News, the controversy gained traction last month after U.S. Senator Ted Cruz alleged during a podcast with television host Bill Maher that Christians were being “systematically targeted and killed” in Nigeria — a statement that drew widespread reactions.
Responding to the claims, the Federal Government dismissed the allegations as “malicious propaganda,” with the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, asserting that they were part of a foreign-sponsored effort to damage Nigeria’s international image and destabilize national unity.
In his remarks, the Sultan emphasized that both Christians and Muslims have coexisted peacefully in the region for centuries, sharing common values and communities.
“From time immemorial, Christians and Muslims have lived as brothers in the North. These allegations are false and aimed at creating mistrust among our people,” he said.
The monarch commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their relentless efforts in combating banditry and insurgency across the North, urging continued public support for the military.
“Without the military, we wouldn’t be here holding this meeting comfortably. We must continue to support and encourage them,” he added.
He also expressed concern over the misuse of social media in spreading misinformation, warning that unverified and inflammatory posts often fuel tension. The Sultan called for stricter measures to curb fake news, noting that he had personally been a victim of false reports.
In his address, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, lauded the cooperation between traditional rulers and security agencies, assuring Nigerians that the fight against terrorism and banditry was being won.
“The days of insurgents and bandits in the North and across the country are numbered. We will defeat them — they will not defeat us,” Musa declared.
Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, who declared the assembly open, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening security and supporting the military with necessary logistics. He debunked reports that the state had contracted any foreign security firm, describing them as false.
Dignitaries present included the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Illiyasu Bashar; the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi; and other prominent emirs from across the 19 northern states — all of whom reiterated their collective commitment to peace, unity, and national cohesion.
