Banditry, terrorism, criminality not Islam – Sultan of Sokoto
Sultan of Sokoto Addresses Youth Corps Members on Crime and Islam
SOKOTO, Nigeria — Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar of Sokoto reaffirmed that banditry, terrorism, and criminality are fundamentally incompatible with the principles of Islam. His remarks came during a meeting with members of the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream I of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at his palace.
As President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Abubakar emphasized that Islam is rooted in peace, justice, and respect for human life. He stated that the faith strictly prohibits the killing of innocents and advocates for harmonious co-existence among various religious groups.
The Sultan condemned the tendency to associate crime with specific ethnic or religious communities, arguing that such associations undermine the common notion of criminality. “Criminals should be identified simply as criminals, without reference to their ethnic or religious identities,” he asserted.
Abubakar encouraged the NYSC members to be vigilant during their service year and to honor the customs and values of the communities they serve. He reassured them about the hospitality of the people of Sokoto, urging them to challenge negative stereotypes about the state.
He also advised corps members to critically assess information before sharing it on social media, cautioning that amplifying negative stories may contribute to an atmosphere of fear. “When you share the truth about what you observe, you contribute to the well-being of society,” he said.
Highlighting the diverse backgrounds of individuals involved in crime, Abubakar stated that criminal acts are not confined to any one religion or ethnicity, asserting that “once you commit a crime, you are simply a criminal.” He reiterated that the identities of those arrested for such offenses are irrelevant to the nature of their actions.