A former Mayor of Blanco City in Texas, USA, Mike Arnold, has accused the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, of alleged complicity in what he described as a “jihad genocide” and widespread killings in northern Nigeria.
Arnold, who is also the founder of Africa Arise International, made the allegations in a series of social media posts, claiming the Sultan is aware of — but silent over — mass killings and resource looting in parts of the North.
According to him, as the spiritual and temporal leader of over 108 million Muslims, the Sultan cannot be “entirely detached” from the ongoing wave of violent attacks and communal bloodshed, especially those targeting Christian communities.
In response, the Sultanate Council of Sokoto dismissed the accusations as “baseless and undeserving of a response,” stating that the revered monarch would not dignify such claims with a reply.
This comes after the Sultan had earlier refuted reports suggesting Christians were facing genocide in the North, describing such narratives as false and divisive.
Despite the backlash, Arnold insists he stands by his claims, saying there is “complicity by silence” among some northern religious and traditional leaders amid the recurring violence.