Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, has urged the military to adopt a more aggressive approach against terrorists following bomb explosions in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The monarch made the call while declaring Friday Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
On Monday, 23 people were killed and over 100 others injured after bombs exploded at a market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office flyover in the capital of the north-east state.
Abubakar condemned the attacks, urging the military and intelligence agencies to intensify efforts to tackle terrorism in the country.
“Take the war to the terrorists where they are. Don’t wait for them to strike before defending or finding remedies. This you must do so that, as a nation of great people, we can have peace in our country,” he said.
“We condemn this new wave of bomb attacks in the strongest terms and charge the military and other security and intelligence agencies to step up their efforts by nipping these terrorism and insurgency problems in the bud.”
The Sultan said the attacks are against Islamic teachings, adding that the government should show strong political will to protect lives and decisively tackle criminal elements nationwide.
“We have always condemned this. It is un-Islamic, and we insist it is not recognised by Islam and should not be attributed to Islam,” he said.
“The government should summon the political will required to provide effective security and safety for all people, regardless of their religious or tribal considerations, to stamp out these criminal elements—not only in the north but across the entire country—to enable peaceful coexistence, unity, and development.”
The Sultan also advised Nigerians to continue promoting peace and unity wherever they live.
