“Take the war to terrorists, don’t wait for attacks” — Sultan Urges Military After Maiduguri Bombings

Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, has urged Nigeria’s military and security agencies to intensify offensive operations against terrorist groups rather than adopting a largely reactive posture.

He made the remarks on Wednesday night while announcing Friday as Eid-el-Fitr, which marks the end of the Ramadan fasting period.

His comments followed a series of coordinated bomb explosions in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Monday that left 23 people dead and more than 100 injured. The blasts occurred at a market, near the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and around the Post Office flyover in the state capital.

Condemning the attacks, the Sultan called for a shift in strategy by security forces, stressing the need to confront threats directly.

“Take the war to the terrorists where they are. Don’t wait for them to strike before defending or finding remedies,” he said. “This you must do so that, as a nation of great people, we can have peace in our country.”

He also criticized the renewed wave of attacks, describing them as unacceptable and urging intelligence and military agencies to strengthen their efforts to prevent further incidents.

“We condemn this new wave of bomb attacks in the strongest terms,” he said, adding that security agencies must act decisively to address insurgency and terrorism before they escalate further.

The Sultan further stated that the attacks contradict the principles of Islam, noting that such acts should not be associated with the religion.

He also called on the government to demonstrate stronger commitment in addressing insecurity across the country, emphasizing the need to protect lives without regard to religious or ethnic differences.

“The government should summon the political willpower required to provide effective security and safety for all people,” he said, urging authorities to eliminate criminal elements nationwide and sustain efforts toward peace and national cohesion.

He advised Nigerians to continue promoting unity and peaceful coexistence in their communities.