The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has called on the Federal Government and the Nigerian Armed Forces to conduct a thorough investigation into the killing of Colonel Abdulrasaq Abdussalam Ude in Abuja.
The Sultan, in a statement issued by his media team on Wednesday, also condemned what he described as persistent hate campaigns against minority Igbo Muslims in the South East, saying such actions undermine efforts at national unity and peaceful coexistence.
Colonel Ude was killed on July 27 while returning to his residence in the Kurudu area of the Federal Capital Territory after gunmen reportedly attempted to abduct him.
His driver and security guard sustained gunshot injuries during the attack, while his wife was also caught in the incident and is receiving treatment.
A relative of the deceased had described the attack as a calculated assassination rather than a failed kidnapping attempt.
Reacting to the killing, the Sultan said no Nigerian life should be taken without those responsible being identified and brought to justice.
‘As Muslims, we continue to act by showing love and encouraging peaceful coexistence, tolerance, unity and restraint as enjoined by the Holy Qur’an,’ he said.
He urged the Federal Government and the Armed Forces to ‘get to the root of the circumstances’ surrounding the alleged close-range shooting of the officer, whom he described as a distinguished military intelligence operative admired by both the Muslim community and traditional institutions, especially in the South East.
‘To allow the killing of any single Nigerian without uncovering the cause and bringing the culprits to justice is not the hallmark of a serious country, particularly when the victim is a serving soldier of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
‘The cause of this killing and the attempt on the lives of members of his family must be uncovered, and the appropriate authorities should do the needful,’ the Sultan said.