Claim: Sultan of Sokoto has died in London
Source: WhatsApp
Verdict: FALSE
Researched by Hamza Ibrahim
A WhatsApp message announcing the death of the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, was widely circulated on the messaging platform in Nigeria on October 29, 2024.
Aside from WhatsApp, the message was circulated on other social media platforms, including Facebook and X.
The message labeled as “forwarded many times” by WhatsApp shows a photo of the Sultan of Sokoto with a caption that read in part; “Sultan of Sokoto is dead. He died few hours ago in his London apartment after suffering penises infection.”
The message started with the Arabic heading “INNA LILLAHI WA’INNA ILAIHIRAJI’UN!” which is a Quranic verse that means “We are from Allah and unto Him is our return.”
The caption also praises the role of the Sultan in national life and adds a link that ostensibly would lead to a story on the incident but FactSpace Nigeria observed that the link when clicked led users to a betting website.
Fig 1 – Screenshot of the viral message
Who is the Sultan of Sokoto?
He is an influential Muslim cleric based in northwestern Sokoto State where the first Islamic Caliphate in the country was established. He is among the eminent religious leaders who advise Nigerian presidents.
He is regarded widely as the leader of all Muslims in Nigeria hence his title “Sarki Musulmi,” which is Hausa for the ‘King of Muslims.’
In 2006, Sa’ad left his role as Nigeria’s military attaché to Pakistan and following the tragic death of his brother, was coronated as new Sultan. In his current role, he leads the Sultanate Council of Sokoto and the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria (SCIAN).
Fact-check
Investigations by FactSpace Nigeria about the viral death claim of the Sultan established that it was false.
The Sultanate Council in an October 29 press release signed by Aminu Haliru, the Public Relations Officer of the Council, described the claim as nothing but fake and unfounded.
The release added: “His Eminence, the Sultan has not travelled abroad at the moment. He is in the country attending official functions in Kaduna.”
Fig 2 – Copy of the Sokoto Sultanate Council statement
Earlier, a group known as Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) had also debunked the news.
A statement by MPAC read in part, “We wish to notify the Ummah and address recent unfounded rumors concerning the supposed passing of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III. We unequivocally affirm that, Alhamdulillah, the Sultan is alive, in good health, and fully engaged in his esteemed responsibilities as a spiritual guide to millions in Nigeria and beyond.”
Verdict
The news that His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto has died is fake.
