Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto and leader of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, views the liberation of 44 individuals from the old Oyo National Park as a positive development for national security. Following their 56-day captivity after an abduction in the Oriire region, the Sultan extended his congratulations to President Bola Tinubu and the survivors.
He credited the success to the coordinated efforts of federal and state authorities along with intelligence agencies. While praising the operation, he emphasized that this milestone underscores the necessity for ongoing cooperation between the public and security forces to curb violence across the country.
Addressing the ongoing crisis in Borno State, the Sultan urged the federal and state governments to apply the same level of urgency to secure the release of abducted students currently held captive, stating that every citizen’s life warrants equal protection.
Furthermore, he called upon all citizens to unite against criminal activities such as banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping. He argued that since religious doctrines oppose criminal conduct, a unified front across various faiths is essential to eradicating violence. The Sultan concluded by praying for the full recovery of the rescued pupils and teachers while encouraging authorities to maintain their momentum until all remaining captives are freed.
