Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has issued a strong rebuttal against widespread reports claiming he denied the existence of Christian persecution in Nigeria. The respected cleric described the circulation of such statements as a severe misrepresentation of his actual comments.
Controversy Follows Trump's CPC Redesignation
The controversy erupted in the wake of a significant international decision. On October 31, 2025, US President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a 'Country of Particular Concern' (CPC), a move citing allegations of Christian genocide within the nation's borders. This action was followed by reported US airstrikes targeting terrorist elements in Sokoto State, further heightening tensions.
Bishop Kukah addressed the issue directly during a recent appearance on the radio programme Boiling Point, which aired across several stations. He expressed profound surprise at the narrative being pushed.
"I never denied the killing of our people [Christians]," Kukah stated emphatically. "It shocked me that Christians were going around saying that I said there is no persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The only clarification I can give is that I have never denied that there is persecution of Christians in Nigeria."
Kukah's Broader Argument on National Insecurity
The bishop clarified that his central argument was never to diminish the suffering of any group but to highlight the pervasive nature of insecurity that plagues all Nigerians. He stressed that the violence is a national tragedy affecting citizens across religious and ethnic lines.
"Whether it's persecution, whether it's genocide, by God, this thing ought not to have happened," he declared with passion. "Wherever we can get help from, Trump, whatever, these killings ought not to have happened in the first place."
Kukah recalled his earlier appeal to the US government, made on October 21 at the Vatican during the launch of the Aid to the Church in Need 2025 Report. At that event, he had urged against the CPC redesignation, warning it could inflame religious tensions and hinder peace efforts. His position was rooted in the belief that all Nigerians, irrespective of faith, feel vulnerable to kidnappings and attacks from bandits and terrorist groups.
Context of US-Nigeria Relations
The bishop's clarification comes amidst a complex period in US-Nigeria relations, marked by both security interventions and cooperative agreements. Alongside the CPC designation and Sokoto airstrikes, the United States has also engaged in significant bilateral cooperation with Nigeria.
This includes a five-year, $5.1 billion health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding, with a portion of funds earmarked to support Christian faith-based healthcare facilities across the country. This agreement, part of the America First Global Health Strategy, aims to strengthen Nigeria's health system.
Bishop Kukah's statements underscore the delicate and often painful intersection of religion, security, and geopolitics in Nigeria. His primary message remains a lament for all lives lost and a call for comprehensive solutions to the nation's security crisis, which continues to claim victims from every community.
