The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged those spreading negative narratives about insecurity to rethink. He said security challenges exist in different parts of the world. He spoke on Monday at the closing ceremony of his 20th anniversary on the throne and the 13th Sheikh Usmanu Bin Fodio Week in Sokoto.
The Sultan is the spiritual leader of Nigeria’s Muslims. He is also the traditional ruler of Sokoto. He has spoken on insecurity before. In October 2026, he lamented the resurgence of banditry. He called for collective action. In 2024, he warned against politicising insecurity. His interventions carry weight in the north. The current statement is more defensive. It pushes back against critics who blame the government for the crisis. It also reflects the pressure the traditional institution faces. Sokoto has seen repeated attacks. The Sultan’s own domain is not immune.
The Sultan acknowledged the security challenges facing Sokoto and other states. He said Nigeria was not immune. But he cited insecurity in Iran, the United States, Germany and France. “What we can do is minimise insecurity so that people can go about their normal duties without hindrance,” he said.
He urged governors to remain committed to good governance. He said no administration could satisfy everybody. He described himself as “a soldier of Islam and a soldier of peace.” He said Islam does not promote forced conversion. He cautioned against insults on social media.
Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal and Sokoto Governor Ahmed Aliyu attended. They praised the Sultan’s contributions to peace and unity.
The statement drew mixed reactions. Some said the Sultan was right to defend the traditional institution. Others said comparing Nigeria to France was absurd. Nigeria has lost thousands to banditry. France has not. The comparison minimises the crisis.
Winners: The Sultan, who defended his institution. The government, which gained a prominent voice against negative narratives. Governors, who gained a platform. Losers: Victims of insecurity, whose suffering was relativised. Critics who wanted the Sultan to hold the government accountable. The traditional institution, if the statement is seen as political. Nigerians, who face the crisis daily.
Bottom Line: The Sultan says insecurity is global. He is right. It is also local. Sokoto has buried its people. Families have been displaced. Comparing Nigeria to France does not stop the next attack. The Sultan’s call for good governance is welcome. His defence of the government is not.