Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto has expressed deep concern over the continued persecution of Christians in Northern Nigeria, highlighting that those responsible for such acts often go unpunished.
Speaking virtually during the Silver Jubilee Anniversary of the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba Nigeria, Eko Subordinate Council, held in Lagos, Bishop Kukah lamented that despite the numerous attacks on churches and Christian communities in the North in recent years, not a single person has been brought to justice.
The event, themed "Christian Martyrdom in Nigeria... A Building Block or Stumbling Block to Salvation or Patriotism," provided a platform for the bishop to reflect on the hardships faced by Christians in the region. He noted the troubling reality that in Northern Nigeria, Christians often find themselves targeted without any legal repercussions for the perpetrators.
“If you look at our country—Nigeria, the issue is that, in Northern Nigeria, Christians constitute some of the groups that you can kill without consequences," Bishop Kukah stated. "You can ask yourself: has anybody ever been charged for burning churches or for destroying Christian properties?"
He pointed to several instances of violence, including the public killing of a pastor in Adamawa and the murders of priests in Benue and Kaduna, illustrating the extent of the crisis.
Bishop Kukah also condemned the ethnic lens through which Christianity is often viewed in Nigeria, arguing that such attitudes need to be discarded. He emphasized that Christianity should transcend ethnic boundaries and that the suffering of Christians anywhere in the country should be a concern for all.
"Tragically, Christianity has become largely subordinated to ethnicity," he remarked. "Many people today still hold a caliphate mentality, believing that those who are not part of us must be against us. This is the fate of Christians and Christianity in many parts of Northern Nigeria today, where Christianity is merely tolerated."
The bishop further highlighted the challenges Christians face in obtaining land to build churches, using Kenya as a parallel example of similar struggles.
Bishop Kukah concluded by urging Christians to continue preaching the gospel, regardless of the circumstances, and to recognize that martyrdom is not solely about being killed but also about standing firm in the truth, even in the face of danger.
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