Sultan Demands Probe into Igbo Muslim Officer’s Killing

Calls for justice, condemns hate against minority Muslims

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called for an immediate investigation into the alleged assassination of Colonel Abdur-Razaq AbdulKarim Ode, described as Nigeria’s most senior Igbo Muslim Army officer.

In a statement issued by Prince Bashir Adefaka on Wednesday, the Sultan also condemned what he described as growing hate and attacks against minority Igbo Muslims in South-East Nigeria, saying such actions are harmful to national unity and peaceful coexistence. He also called for an end to discrimination and hate against minority Muslims and Christians wherever they may be.

The Sultan, who is also Co-President of Religions for Peace, said Muslims are guided by the teachings of the Holy Qur’an to promote love, peace, tolerance, unity and restraint.

He urged the Federal Government and the Nigerian Armed Forces to immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged shooting of Colonel Ode at his residence in Abuja and ensure those responsible are identified and brought to justice.

According to the statement, the late officer was a respected military intelligence officer whose service made both the Muslim Ummah and his traditional community proud.

The Sultan said no Nigerian should lose his or her life without a proper investigation, stressing that allowing the killing of any citizen to go unpunished weakens public confidence in the country. He added that the alleged killing of a serving Army officer and the reported attempt on the lives of his family members must be thoroughly investigated to prevent a repeat of such incidents.

He prayed that Allah forgives the late Colonel Abdur-Razaq AbdulKarim Ode, grants him Al-Jannatul Firdaus and gives his family the strength to bear the loss.

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