- Sultan of Sokoto calls for immediate investigation into the killing of Army Colonel Abdussalam Ude.
- He condemns discrimination against minority Igbo Muslims and urges peaceful coexistence.
- The slain officer was reportedly shot during a suspected kidnap attempt in Nasarawa State.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has called on the Federal Government and the Armed Forces to immediately investigate the killing of an Army officer, Colonel Abdussalam Ude, and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the Sultan made the call in a statement released on Wednesday by his Media Team, expressing concern over the circumstances surrounding the officer’s death and warning that failure to thoroughly investigate the incident could undermine public confidence in the country’s justice system.
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The President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs also condemned what he described as continued discrimination and hostility against minority Igbo Muslims in the South-East, urging Nigerians to reject religious intolerance and embrace peaceful coexistence.
According to the statement, titled *”Sultan of Sokoto Calls for Immediate Launch of Investigation on Alleged Assassination of Igbo Muslim Army Officer,”* the monarch described the late officer as a respected military intelligence operative whose death had deeply affected both the Muslim community and his home region.
He urged security authorities to uncover the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting and ensure justice is served.
“To allow the killing of any Nigerian without getting to the root of the matter and bringing the perpetrators to justice is not the mark of a serious nation, especially when the victim is a serving military officer,” the Sultan said.
He added that the cause of the killing, as well as the reported attack on the officer’s family, must be thoroughly investigated to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Sultan also renewed his appeal for tolerance and harmony among Nigerians, stressing that Islam promotes peace, love and unity.
“As Muslims, we continue to act by showing love and encouraging peaceful coexistence, tolerance, unity and restraint as enjoined in the Glorious Qur’an,” he stated.
He offered prayers for the late officer, asking Allah to grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.
The call comes days after the senior military officer was reportedly killed during a suspected kidnap attempt at his residence in Badna, New Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
According to reports, armed assailants invaded the residence during heavy rainfall on Monday night in an attempt to abduct him. The officer was said to have resisted before he was shot multiple times.
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command later clarified that the incident occurred in Nasarawa State, not Abuja as initially reported, adding that investigations into the attack are ongoing.
The death has continued to attract reactions on social media, where members of the Igbo Muslim community and other Nigerians have paid tribute to the late colonel, describing him as a respected Qur’an teacher, military intelligence expert and mentor.
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