He made the statement during the first triannual meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) held in Abuja, where religious and political leaders gathered to address growing concerns about insecurity and religious tensions in the country.
Speaking at the event, which also had the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Daniel Okoh, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume in attendance, the Sultan emphasized that terrorism and criminal acts should never be tied to any religion.
He stressed that individuals who commit atrocities while shouting “Allahu Akbar” are acting against the true teachings of Islam and will ultimately face consequences beyond this world.
According to him, continued labeling of criminals with religious identities is dangerous and only deepens suspicion, division, and mistrust among Nigerians.
The Sultan urged citizens and the media to be careful with language, warning against terms like “Muslim bandits” or “Muslim terrorists,” noting that crime is driven by individuals, not faith.
His remarks have since sparked wide reactions across the country, with many Nigerians praising the message as timely amid ongoing security challenges and rising tensions in some regions.
Observers say the statement is a call for unity, urging Nigerians to separate religion from criminal behavior and focus on addressing insecurity as a national problem rather than a religious one.
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