Speaking in Kaduna on November 29, 2025, Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, firmly rejected claims that Nigeria is witnessing a genócide against Christians. His remarks came less than a week after the kidnápping of Rev. Fr. Bobbi Paschal and his parishioners in the Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna, and days after the abdúction of a senior priest of the Anglican Diocese of Kaduna, Venerable Edwin Achi, his wife Sara, and their daughter, an event that left Ven. Achi déád in captîvîty and his wife and daughter still held by their abdúctórs. Despite these trágédies, Kukah stressed that his comments reflect the position of the Nigerian state and the Catholic Church, not a denial of Christian súffering.
Addressing the 46th Supreme Convention of the Knights of St. Mulumba, the Bishop argued that the term genócide is being misused. “Genócide is not about numbers but intent,” he said. “You can kîll millions of people, but unless there is a deliberate plan to elimínáte a group, it is not genócide.” He emphasized the need for precision in describing Nigeria’s sècurity challenges to avoid infláming ténsions and giving críminâls more leverage.
Kukah also dismissed widely circulated claims that over 1,200 churches are déstróyed annually in Nigeria, questioning the credibility of such statistics. “Where are these numbers coming from?” he asked. “No one approached the Catholic Church for verified data. We do not deal in hearsay.” He aligned himself with the Vatican and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria in rejecting unsubstantiated narratives of mass pérsècution.
The Bishop further noted that Christians are not a marginalized minority in Nigeria, pointing out that they make up the majority of educated citizens and control a significant portion of the national economy. “If you say Christians are persécúted, how?” he queried. He instead attributed many of the community’s struggles to internal disûnity, urging Christians to stand together and avoid being manipúlated by feár driven rhetoric.
Clarifying earlier reports, Kukah stated that his submission to the Vatican, a 1,270 page study, found no evidence of genócide or organized religious martyrdóm in Nigeria. He called on Christians to defend their faith through moral conduct rather than sensational claims. “Our báttles today are not fought with swórds,” he said. “Our witness is our character and our commitment to truth.”
Rev Fr Ben Amuchie, a Clergy, Lecturer, Prolific Writer and Public Affairs Analyst presents the claims and arguments of Bishop Kukah but doesn’t share same opinions with him.
Tell us your opinion about his argument in the comment section. Please, no insults.
By Rev Fr Ben C.C. Amuchie
