Bishop Kukah Clarifies Comments, Acknowledges Persecution of Christians in Nigeria

Bishop Kukah Clarifies Comments, Acknowledges Persecution of Christians in Nigeria

Catholic Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto Diocese has clarified his position after facing public criticism over remarks about the plight of Christians in Nigeria. The veteran cleric said he never denied that Christians are being persecuted in the country, rejecting claims that he had dismissed their suffering.

The controversy erupted after Kukah’s remarks at a recent event were interpreted by some as suggesting there is no persecution or genocide of Christians in Nigeria. Kukah’s critics seized on those remarks, arguing his words seemed to downplay long-standing reports of violence and insecurity affecting Christian communities.

In response, Kukah appeared on the radio programme Boiling Point to set the record straight, saying his earlier comments were taken out of context. He emphatically stated that he had not denied the killings or persecution of Christians, and that such violence should never have happened. He stressed that the loss of lives, whether described as persecution or even genocide, is unacceptable and must be addressed.

Kukah’s clarification comes amid heightened international attention on religious violence in Nigeria, especially after the United States redesignated the country as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for religious freedom violations and carried out air strikes against militant groups last December in efforts tied to rising security concerns.

The bishop also highlighted that Nigeria’s broader security crisis affects citizens across religious lines and urged a collective focus on ending the violence that has afflicted communities nationwide.