I Never Said There Is No Christian Persecution in Nigeria’, Clarifies Bishop Kukah

Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, has clarified comments he made regarding the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, rejecting claims that he denied the existence of such persecution.

Speaking during a recent radio interview, Bishop Kukah said his remarks had been misrepresented and taken out of context, stressing that he never claimed there is no violence against Christians in the country. “I never said there is no Christian persecution in Nigeria,” he emphasized, adding that his words were distorted by some media outlets The clarification comes amid ongoing debates about the nature of violence in Nigeria. While Christian advocacy groups report killings, abductions, and attacks on churches, Nigerian government officials classify the violence as terrorism, banditry, and criminality, affecting all citizens regardless of faith. Analysts also note that the insecurity is often tied to ethnic and land disputes, in addition to terrorism, making the situation complex The issue has attracted international attention, with the U.S. House Appropriations Committee recently examining religious persecution and security threats in Nigeria. U.S. President, Donald Trump and other international figures have also spoken on the topic, further fueling debate. Despite differing perspectives, Bishop Kukah reaffirmed that violence against Christians does occur, but cautioned against oversimplifying the causes or labeling the situation as systematic religious persecution. His clarification seeks to strike a balance between acknowledging the reality on the ground and avoiding misleading narratives. The discussion underscores the broader challenges Nigeria faces in addressing insecurity and protecting all citizens, regardless of religion, while ensuring that reports of targeted attacks are accurately represented.