Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — Catholic Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah has publicly refuted widespread reports suggesting that he had denied the existence of persecution against Christians in Nigeria, stressing that his remarks were mischaracterised and taken out of context. The clarification comes amid a heated national and international debate over religious violence, the designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” by the United States, and heightened scrutiny of the security situation affecting vulnerable communities across the country.
In a televised interview on a current affairs programme, Bishop Kukah insisted that he had never said there was no Christian persecution in Nigeria, emphasising that he fully recognises that Christians are being killed and harmed in the ongoing security crisis. “I never denied the killing of our people,” Kukah said, rejecting claims circulating on social media and in some news reports that he had dismissed the suffering of Christian communities.
The controversy originated following remarks made by Kukah in discussions concerning whether Nigeria should be redesignated by the U.S. as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) — a classification used to identify nations engaged in “systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom.” The CPC label was applied to Nigeria under U.S. law in late October 2025, drawing strong reactions from Nigerian authorities, civil society and religious figures alike.
Bishop Kukah clarified that his comments were aimed at highlighting the broader insecurity affecting all Nigerians, not to dismiss violence directed at Christians. “Whether it’s persecution, whether it’s genocide, by God, this thing ought not to have happened,” he said, urging that the focus should be on stopping violence regardless of the victims’ religion.
In his statement, Kukah expressed surprise and concern that some Christians interpreted his words as suggesting there were no attacks targeting Christian communities. He reiterated that insecurity in Nigeria cuts across religious lines, affecting Muslims and Christians alike, and called for unity in addressing the crisis. “In my central argument about security in Nigeria, it doesn’t matter where you are, whether you are Muslim or Christian — you are in danger of being abducted,” he said.
The bishop’s clarification reflects his long-standing engagement on issues of insecurity, human rights and inter-faith relations in Nigeria. Kukah has frequently spoken about the devastating toll of violence in the country, lamenting the loss of thousands of lives and urging stronger action by government and society to protect all citizens.
The debate over his comments intensified amid broader diplomatic tensions with Washington, where American leaders have cited attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria as part of justifications for security designations and external pressure. Kukah previously cautioned against reacting to such labels in a way that could deepen societal divisions, advocating instead for national solidarity and internal reforms to improve security for all.
Civil society reactions have been mixed. Some groups welcomed Kukah’s clarification, describing it as a balanced recognition of the suffering experienced by Christians without diminishing the wider context of insecurity in the country. Others have reiterated calls for the Nigerian government to take more decisive steps to ensure the safety of all religious communities — especially in regions where armed groups have repeatedly attacked civilian populations.
Kukah’s remarks have also reignited discussion within the Nigerian Christian community about how best to frame and address religiously motivated violence. While acknowledging the reality of persecution, the bishop emphasised that focusing solely on religious identity could obscure the complex socio-economic and political factors that fuel violence and make every Nigerian vulnerable.
As the conversation continues, security analysts say the situation in Nigeria underscores the need for multifaceted strategies that combine robust law enforcement, community protection, inter-faith dialogue, and political solutions to address grievances and reduce the climate of fear that has engulfed parts of the country.
For Bishop Kukah, the priority remains ending the cycle of violence and ensuring that deaths and displacements — whether inflicted on Christians, Muslims, or other Nigerians — are treated as a national tragedy deserving of urgent, collective action.
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