Insecurity: We’re not honest with Nigerians — Sultan slams faith leaders
The Sultan of Sokoto and Co-Chair of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), HRH Abubakar Sa’ad III, has issued a stern warning to religious leaders across the country, saying the Council risks becoming irrelevant if its members fail to embrace sincerity, accountability, and genuine dialogue.
Speaking on Wednesday, the Sultan lamented that many faith leaders have not been truthful with Nigerians in addressing the nation’s worsening insecurity. He stressed that moral authority is lost when religious representatives shy away from telling the truth or engaging government and citizens with transparency.
According to him, NIREC—established to foster understanding between religious groups and promote national unity—must not become a ceremonial body. Instead, he urged members to recommit to the Council’s core mandate of offering honest intervention in matters threatening the peace of the nation.
“We must be sincere with ourselves and with Nigerians. If we lose honesty, we lose relevance,” the Sultan said, noting that insecurity has persisted partly because leaders are not confronting the issues with the seriousness and openness required.
He called for renewed collaboration between religious institutions, government authorities, and community actors to curb violence and restore social trust.
The Sultan’s remarks come amid rising concerns over banditry, terrorism, communal clashes, and kidnapping across various regions, with citizens increasingly questioning the effectiveness of national response strategies.
NIREC is expected to reconvene for further consultations aimed at strengthening interfaith cooperation and crafting actionable solutions to insecurity.
