Most Rev. Matthew Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, has denied reports attributing to him a statement that Christians in Nigeria are not facing persecution.
Bishop Kukah
In a statement titled “Of the persecution of Christians in Nigeria: My response”, Kukah described the reports as false and misleading, stressing that he had never denied the reality of persecution faced by Christians in the country.
“For over a week, I have been in the news on the basis of multiple claims that I had said that there was no persecution of Christians in Nigeria. So, for the record, I did not say that Christians are not persecuted in Nigeria,” he said.
The cleric explained that his remarks at a Catholic Knights of St. Mulumba event in Kaduna on Nov. 28 were focused on the need for unity and solidarity among Christians, given their human and material resources.
He said his emphasis was that Christians must stand together to overcome persecution, not that persecution does not exist.
Kukah noted that he had consistently spoken on the theme of persecution over the years, arguing that the bloodshed and violence against Christians must end immediately because “common humanity is at stake.”
He urged government and security agencies to bring perpetrators to account, stressing that their failure had created unnecessary divisions.
“As a people, I believe we owe ourselves the collective duty to regain our humanity not as perpetual victims but as equal citizens of our land.
“Too many innocent souls have been lost, too much blood shed and our children and citizens are in captivity,” he said.
The bishop apologized for what he described as an “unnecessary distraction,” urging Christians to remain focused on unity, justice, and reconciliation.
“This is not the time for us to retreat or be distracted. This is a contest that we must win.
“The journey may be painful, but we will only reach our destination by learning our lessons, standing up even when we stumble, and keeping our eyes on the ultimate prize – peace for our country, justice for those injured, and reconciliation for our people,” Kukah added.
