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The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has demanded an immediate investigation into the killing of an Army officer identified as Col. Abdussalam Ude.
The President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs also condemned persistent hate and discrimination against minority Igbo Muslims in the South-East.
He urged an end to attacks on religious minorities across the country.
His position was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by Prince Bashir Adefaka on behalf of the Sultan’s Media Team.
The Sultan described the reported hostility towards minority Igbo Muslims as a setback to national unity.
He urged the Federal Government and the Armed Forces to uncover the circumstances surrounding the officer’s death.
The statement was titled “Sultan of Sokoto calls for immediate launch of investigation on alleged assassination of Igbo Muslim Army officer.”
Alhaji Abubakar made the call “while reacting to the recent assassination, allegedly, of Nigeria’s most senior Igbo Muslim Army officer, which occurred at his residence in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, recently.”
The Sultan stated: “The Federal Government and the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria have gotten to put heads together and get to the roots of circumstances that led to the shooting at alleged close range of Army Colonel Abdur-Razaq AbdlKarim Ode, a fine military intelligence officer that both Muslim Ummah and traditional communities in the country, especially the region he hailed from, were proud of.”
He emphasized that failing to investigate the killing of a soldier undermines nation-building efforts.
According to the Sultan: “To allow the killing of any single Nigerian soul taken out without getting to the root of the cause and bringing the culprits to justice with a view to disallowing a repeat of the same is not a good way to talk about a serious country, much more when the life extrajudicially taken is that of a soldier of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
He added: “The cause of this killing and attempt on the life of his family must be found out and the government and other appropriate quarters do the needful.”
The Sultan also called for an end to hate speech and attacks against minority religious groups nationwide.
He noted: “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 prayed for the repose of the deceased officer’s soul, asking Allah to grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.
The call follows the killing of a senior military officer during a suspected kidnap attempt at his residence in Badna, New Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on Monday night.
Assailants stormed the residence during a downpour and attempted to abduct him. He was reportedly shot multiple times after resisting the attack.
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command later clarified that the incident occurred in Nasarawa State, not Abuja as initially reported, and stated that investigations are ongoing.
Social media users, including members of the Igbo Muslim community, have paid tribute to the slain officer. They described him as a Qur’an teacher, military intelligence expert, and mentor.
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