Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has firmly denied claims that he said Christians are not being persecuted in Nigeria.
Speaking on the radio programme Boiling Point on Sunday, Kukah clarified that his comments on the insecurity crisis were misinterpreted and taken out of context.
The clarification follows the United States government’s decision on October 31 to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over allegations of “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom,” including claims of a Christian genocide.
Bishop Kukah stressed that he has never denied the killing or persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
“I never denied the killing of our people. I have never denied that there is persecution of Christians in Nigeria. Whether it is persecution or genocide, by God, this thing ought not to have happened,” he said.
While the Nigerian government has consistently rejected genocide claims, former US President Donald Trump had earlier threatened military action against terrorists targeting Christians. This culminated in US airstrikes on December 25 against terrorist camps in Sokoto State.
Kukah, however, emphasised that insecurity in Nigeria cuts across religion, ethnicity, and social status, noting that both Christians and Muslims face the risks of abduction and violence.
“It doesn’t matter whether you are Muslim or Christian — Nigerians are living in danger,” he stated.
Earlier in October, the bishop had also urged the US not to designate Nigeria as a CPC, arguing that all Nigerians feel vulnerable, regardless of faith.
Bottom line: Kukah says the real issue is Nigeria’s worsening insecurity — not religious denial, but a shared national crisis.
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