The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has urged the Nigerian military to adopt a more proactive approach in tackling terrorism following deadly bomb attacks in Maiduguri, Borno State.
He made the call on Wednesday evening while declaring Friday as Eid al-Fitr, signalling the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The appeal comes in the wake of coordinated bombings in Maiduguri that left 23 people dead and more than 100 others injured. The explosions occurred at multiple locations, including a local market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office flyover.
Condemning the attacks, the Sultan called on security forces to intensify operations by targeting terrorist enclaves directly rather than reacting after incidents occur.
“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, we can have peace,” he said.
He described the attacks as un-Islamic, stressing that such acts of violence contradict the teachings of Islam and should not be linked to the religion.
The monarch also urged the government to demonstrate strong political will in addressing insecurity, emphasising the need to protect all citizens irrespective of religion or ethnicity.
According to him, decisive action is required to dismantle criminal networks and restore confidence in the country’s security architecture.
Abubakar further appealed to Nigerians to promote unity, peaceful coexistence, and mutual understanding, noting that sustainable national development can only be achieved in a secure and stable environment.
