The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, has condemned the Christmas Eve killings in 20 communities across Mangu, Bokkos, and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State, News About Nigeria reports.
He criticised security agencies for their failure in intelligence gathering, which resulted in the crime that claimed over 100 lives.
During the closing of the 80th National Islamic Vacation Course at the Air Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi, the Sultan urged the government and security services to improve their intelligence-gathering methods and preventative measures.
He emphasised the need for authorities to stay ahead of bandits and terrorists, questioning the effectiveness of existing intelligence mechanisms.
The Sultan noted recent events like the Tudun Biri controversy in Kaduna State and the fighting in Plateau State while expressing concern over repeated clashes and deaths brought on by internal tensions.
He called for increased efforts to prevent such attacks before they occur and urged the government to address shortcomings in intelligence gathering.
The Sultan cautioned against politicising insecurity, adding that it is risky to take such an approach.
He noted that poverty affects people irrespective of religious affiliations and called for unity in addressing leadership challenges.
The Sultan encouraged citizens to maintain hope and continue praying, while simultaneously exerting pressure on leaders to fulfil their responsibilities.
The religious leader concluded by pointing out the importance of collective efforts in making Nigeria a better country, acknowledging existing challenges and expressing confidence in overcoming them.
“But as we pray, let’s put pressure on our leaders to do the right thing; let’s not leave our leaders with their own problems and faults.
“We must all take this leadership as one opportunity for all of us to be good to one another and let our country be a much better country. The challenges are there and there are so problems but we have to face those challenges.”
