The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has called on the Nigerian military and security agencies to intensify offensive operations against terrorists, insisting that security forces must “take the war” to insurgents rather than wait to be attacked.
The monarch made the appeal on Wednesday night while announcing the end of Ramadan and declaring Friday as Eid-el-Fitr.
His remarks followed Monday’s deadly bomb explosions in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, which left at least 23 people dead and over 100 others injured.
The coordinated attacks struck a busy market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and the Post Office flyover area, heightening fears over a renewed wave of terrorism in the North-East.
Reacting to the incidents, the Sultan condemned the attacks in strong terms, describing them as barbaric and contrary to Islamic teachings.
He urged the armed forces and intelligence agencies to adopt a proactive and intelligence-driven approach to counterterrorism.
“Take the war to the terrorists where they are. Don’t wait for them to strike before defending or finding remedies,” he said.
The monarch stressed that decisive and pre-emptive action was necessary to restore peace and stability across the country.
He further called for stronger political will from the Federal Government to tackle insecurity, warning that failure to act decisively would embolden criminal elements.
According to him, terrorism must be confronted without religious or ethnic bias, noting that the menace affects all parts of the country.
“The government should summon the political willpower required to provide effective security and safety for all people, regardless of their religious and tribal considerations,” he added.
The Sultan also reiterated that terrorism has no basis in Islam, stressing that those responsible for such acts cannot claim to represent the faith.
“We have always condemned this. It is un-Islamic and should not be associated with Islam,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to remain united and continue to promote peace and mutual coexistence despite ongoing security challenges.
The Maiduguri bombings have added to concerns over rising insecurity in Nigeria, coming at a time when the country is grappling with multiple threats, including insurgency, banditry, and communal violence.
Security analysts say the latest attack underscores the need for improved intelligence gathering, inter-agency coordination, and sustained military pressure on terrorist groups operating in the North-East.
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