The Sultan of Sokoto Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III has advised the government that Nigerians need to be sensitized and not forced to accept COVID-19 vaccines.

The Sultan disclosed this during a sensitisation programme on the virus held in Abuja on Wednesday for Muslim scholars and imams in Nigeria.

Speaking further, the Sultan who doubles as the President-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, informed the government of the need to consider the conspiracy theories about the vaccine, although he took a neutral stand on the belief that the vaccines were genocidal.

He, however, clarified that there are more than a million ways to kill people other than through the COVID-19 vaccines, such as via soft dirnks and other medicines.

The Sultan further noted that the although the vaccines are free, every one has a choice  to accept or reject it.

“What we take away from this interactive session is so important, because it will help us convince the people of the need to take the COVID-19 vaccine or not. I believe we cannot force people to take vaccines.

“People talk of conspiracy theories such as that the COVID-19 vaccine is meant to kill us. But my take is that if a vaccine was meant to kill us, will anybody wait for the COVID-19 vaccine before killing us? We have been consuming soft drinks and other medicines that are imported into the country. If any foreigner wants to kill us, there are more than a million ways to do so.

“The vaccines are free. You are not going to pay for it. But to take it is your choice. How? You have to find out the truth about the vaccine yourself. How do you find out the truth? By seeking knowledge. How? By communicating with the right people.”