Mambilla Attack Was Not Targeted At Any Tribe - Sultan

The Sultan of Sokoto, Dr. Muhammad Abubakar, on Friday said that the recent crisis in Mambilla Plateau, Taraba State, was not targeted at any tribe.

“The crisis was not planned by individuals or groups to eliminate any tribe; as an ex-military officer, I can only believe that the crisis was planned when I see a document to confirm that,” Abubakar said in Bauchi.

Abubakar spoke at a National Symposium and Lauching of 2025 Vision by Da’awah Coordination Council of Nigeria (DCCN).

The Sultan, however, decried the destruction during the violence, and prayed against a recurrence.

He said that he had met with some leaders in Taraba and cautioned them against playing politics with lives of the people.

He said that leaders must focus on putting out fire where there was one, and stressed the need to reach out to all stakeholders toward restoring normalcy.

The Sultan urged government to strive to bring culprits of the Mambilla violence to book, and warned against derogatory terms like Islamic fundamentalists or extremists, Fulani attackers, Berom or Mambilla terrorists.

“It is such derogatory terms that fueled the crisis,” Abubakar declared.

Daily Trust

Sultan Hosts Wike, Blames Agitations On Lack Of Good Governance

The Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar, said on Tuesday that ongoing agitations in the country are symptoms of rot in the Nigerian system.

Abubakar stated this in Sokoto when Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, paid him Sallah homage.

The Sultan said: ”In the past, a lot of things were done by some people with impunity and nothing was done.

”That is why you find lack of good governance now weighing us down now in the country.

”However, as it is now, no matter how bad your hand is, you cannot cut it and throw away.”

Abubakar called for dialogue to resolve all the misunderstandings and problems in the country.

He said Nigerians should sit together, brainstorm, look at what went wrong, retrace our steps and move forward.

The Sultan also appealed to statesmen in the nation to intervene and assist in resolving the crises.

“We are not short of statesmen across the country and they should help in championing the dialogue.

”We should not allow sentiments to rule our heads. Nigeria is a very big and lucky country and we have no any other nation we can call our own.

”We should love one another irrespective of any religious, ethnic or cultural differences,” Abubakar said.

He also commended Wike’s developmental strides in Rivers, as well as his existing relationship with the Muslim community in the state.

Speaking earlier, the governor said the people and government of Rivers believe in the indivisibility of Nigeria.

He said there were better ways to solve the agitations and problems of Nigeria, rather than a pondering on a break up.

”Rivers and its people believe in the oneness and unity of Nigeria and that is our stand.

”The Sultan is a father to all Nigerians and he is a peace builder in Nigeria and beyond.

”We have also been friends with Governor Aminu Tambuwal since and before his emergence as a Speaker of House of Representatives and this will be sustained despite the party differences,” Wike stated.

NAN

FG Should Probe Sources Of Arms Used By Herdsmen – Sultan

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar, has asked the Federal Government to probe the sources of weapons used by herdsmen accused of attacking Nigerian communities.

This is contained in his Eid-el Fitr message delivered on Sunday in Sokoto.

“Real herdsmen do not carry guns; they only move with their cows and sticks”, he said.

“There could be bad eggs among the Fulani, but those carrying arms and perpetrating heinous killings are not herdsmen.

“Those carrying arms are criminals and should be treated as such.

“Government should probe the sources of these weapons and take appropriate action so as to minimise these attacks”.

Abubakar hailed measures aimed at combating insurgency in the north-east, and cautioned against complacency as the problem was not over.

The revered monarch urged Muslims to reflect on, and uphold the virtues of the Ramadan fast that included patience, perseverance and brotherliness.

Meanwhile, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Udom Ekpoudom, has lamented the audacity of Fulani herdsmen and how they conduct themselves in other people’s territory.

He said their activities across the country totally violate the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

By Wale Odunsi