By Erewunmi Peace

A former United States Mayor, Mike Arnold, has accused the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, of allegedly backing violent attacks against Christians in northern Nigeria — a claim the Sultan strongly denies.

Arnold, a former mayor of Blanco in Texas, made the allegation while responding to the Sultan’s earlier comment dismissing reports of genocide against Christians in parts of northern Nigeria.

The Sultan had earlier maintained that claims of religious genocide in Nigeria were inaccurate and divisive, insisting that insecurity affects all faith groups across the country.
His position sparked criticism from Arnold, who challenged him to “prove he is not complicit” in Christian-targeted attacks.

In a strongly worded statement, Arnold described the Sultan as a “prime suspect” in alleged religiously-motivated killings, calling on the international community to demand transparency and accountability from religious leaders in Nigeria.

The former U.S. mayor also referenced ongoing attacks by armed groups in the North, suggesting the Sultan must be able to demonstrate his innocence.

No independent investigation or legal ruling has confirmed the allegation against the Sultan. Analysts warn that such claims could intensify religious tension if not handled with caution.
The Sultanate and other Muslim leaders have repeatedly condemned attacks carried out by extremist groups, stressing that Islam rejects violence.

Calls for Calm and Investigation

Security experts emphasize that the situation requires objective analysis, not politically-charged or foreign-influenced blame games.
Groups advocating for peace say the priority should remain on:

Ending terrorism and banditry

Protecting all Nigerian citizens, irrespective of religion

Ensuring credible inquiries into mass killings

There are growing calls for both Nigerian authorities and global human-rights bodies to investigate all claims of targeted killings, establish facts, and ensure justice for victims.

Observers say mutual distrust among religious communities may worsen without clear evidence-based resolution to accusations like this.