“Muslims are not in a hurry and are not planning” to annihilate Christians in Nigeria, says the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III.

Mr Abubakar, Nigeria’s Islamic leader, made this statement at the first triennial meeting of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council, held at the Rockview Hotel in Abuja on Wednesday.

“Today, as I stand here, I want to affirm that Muslims are not in a hurry and are not planning anything like decimating the population of Christians in Nigeria,” the Sultan said. “We are not in any position whatsoever to remove Christians from Nigeria. No, it is not possible.’’

Condemning killing in the country, Mr Abubakar said, “Let’s give bandits and terrorists their rightful names and treat them as such. We should stop calling them Islamic terrorists, even if they may be Muslims. In Islam, if you take one life, it is like taking the life of all humanity. The Holy Book refers to humanity, not Muslims or Christians alone.

“You cannot go to the market strapped with explosives, kill yourself and others while shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’, and expect heaven. Such a person’s place is hell, not paradise. Terrorists and bandits are criminals, and we should treat them as such, not as Muslim criminals or Muslim bandits.”

Speaking at the event, secretary to the government of the federation, George Akume, charged clerics and traditional rulers to promote tolerance ahead of the 2027 elections.

“The 2027 general elections are fast approaching and NIREC, through our traditional and religious leaders, faith-based organisations and youth associations, has the moral responsibility for strengthening the network of collaboration, grassroots mobilisation, youth education, peaceful co-existence, tolerance, security and protection of lives and property in our communities,” Mr Akume said.