The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, has declared that anyone who kills innocent people while shouting “Allahu Akbar” would end up in hell, stressing that such acts are against the teachings of Islam and should never be justified in the name of religion.

The revered traditional ruler and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs made the remarks on Wednesday during the first triannual meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council held in Abuja.

The Sultan spoke amid growing concerns over religious extremism and inflammatory rhetoric in parts of the country, including a recent incident in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, where a labourer was captured on video threatening to kill anyone who insults Prophet Muhammad.

Speaking at the meeting attended by the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Daniel Okoh, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, the Sultan said Nigerians must stop attributing criminality and violence to religion.

“Let us get the narrative right. It is not about religion. Let us stop bringing religion into it,” he said.

“Let us call them what they are – criminals. Not Muslim criminals, not Muslim terrorists, not Muslim bandits. Even if someone claims to be Muslim, what they do goes against Islam.”

The Sultan warned against the dangerous misuse of religion by extremists and self-acclaimed clerics, noting that speaking Arabic or displaying outward religious identity does not automatically make someone knowledgeable in Islam.

According to him, “The fact that you understand Arabic does not make you a Sheikh. Arabic is just a language. So literacy is very important.”

He further condemned suicide bombings and killings committed under religious slogans, saying those responsible would face divine punishment.

“Somebody can go to the market, blows his or herself up, kill people and shout ‘Allahu Akbar’. Yes, God is great, but you are going to hell. They will suffer for taking innocent lives,” the Sultan added.

His comments come at a time when tensions are rising over viral videos and public expressions perceived as extremist in parts of the country.

In one such incident seen by SaharaReporters, tension erupted at a construction site in Ado-Ekiti after a Hausa-speaking labourer allegedly threatened to kill anyone who insults Prophet Muhammad during a heated confrontation with his employer.

The confrontation reportedly began after the employer questioned the labourer over comments he allegedly made about violently defending the Prophet against insults.

During the argument, the employer repeatedly asked the labourer whether he truly believed killing someone over alleged insults to Prophet Muhammad was justified.

Responding angrily, the labourer said, “That Anabi that you are calling, I will kill you now now.”

The shocked employer immediately confronted him, saying, “You go kill me? You no go go house today. I go carry you go police station now now. So you can kill person because of Anabi Muhammad abi? Don’t come here again. I will not give you work again.”

The altercation reportedly escalated after the employer ordered the labourer to remove his cap, revealing dreadlocks underneath, while mocking him over his appearance and questioning whether he believed he could still enter paradise.

The labourer insisted he was willing to kill anyone who insults Prophet Muhammad.

“I will kill person because of Anabi Muhammad Rusullulahi Sallalahu Alyinwasalam,” he said.

He further claimed, while speaking in Hausa, that anyone who kills over insults directed at Prophet Muhammad would go straight to paradise.

“The person will go Aljanna direct,” he said.

The employer then questioned him about extremist groups such as Boko Haram and asked whether he could become a member of the insurgent sect.

The labourer denied any affiliation with the terrorist group.

“Never, I cannot join them,” he replied.

Expressing frustration over rising religious extremism, the employer warned the labourer not to return to the area.

“The person that come from Arab side and you that are in Nigeria, you will kill someone because of Arab man,” the employer said.

“Don’t come to Ado-Ekiti again. We are now in problem in Nigeria because of religion.”

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