Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, who is also the President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has called for an immediate investigation into the alleged assassination of Nigeria’s most senior Igbo Muslim Army officer, Col. Abdur-Razaq AbdlKarim Ode.
The Sultan also condemned what he described as the growing hate and vilification directed at minority Igbo Muslims in the South-East, warning that such actions undermine national unity and peaceful coexistence.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Media Team and signed by Bashir Adefaka, the Sultan described reports of persistent hostility against minority Igbo Muslims as “a sad development” that runs contrary to efforts aimed at nation-building.
Reacting to the reported killing of Col. Ode at his residence in Abuja, the Sultan urged the Federal Government and the Armed Forces of Nigeria to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
“As Muslims, we continue to act by showing love and encouraging peaceful coexistence, tolerance, unity and restraint as enjoined upon us by Islamic teachings,” the Sultan said.
He noted that the government and the military must “put heads together and get to the root of the circumstances that led to the alleged close-range shooting” of the senior military intelligence officer.
Describing the late officer as “a fine military intelligence officer” admired by both the Muslim community and traditional institutions, particularly in his region of origin, the Sultan said the circumstances surrounding his death must not be ignored.
“To allow the killing of any single Nigerian without getting to the root of the cause and bringing the culprits to justice is not the hallmark of a serious country, particularly when the victim is a soldier of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
He added that the circumstances surrounding the killing, as well as the reported attempt on the lives of members of the officer’s family, should be thoroughly investigated to prevent a recurrence.
The Sultan further stressed the need to end hate campaigns and discrimination against minority Muslim and Christian communities across the country, saying Nigeria’s diversity should be a source of strength rather than division.
He prayed for Allah to forgive the late Col. Abdur-Razaq AbdlKarim Ode and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.
