By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Bishop of the Sokoto Catholic Diocese and Convener of the National Peace Committee (NPC), Most Rev. Matthew Kukah, has reiterated that Christians are not under persecution in Nigeria, arguing that claims of genocide and targeted attacks are often exaggerated and unsupported by verified data. Speaking at the 46th Supreme Convention of the Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM) in Kaduna, the Catholic Bishop said the ongoing debate on alleged Christian persecution is driven largely by misinformation, poor data sourcing, and misinterpretation of global terms such as genocide.Bishop Kukah recently faced criticism after reports quoted him as appealing to the international community not to categorize Nigeria as a “country of particular concern.” He argued that such a designation would escalate tensions, breed suspicion, and create gaps that criminals could exploit, ultimately undermining interfaith dialogue and cooperation with government.
Addressing participants at the convention, he clarified that he shares the same position with the Vatican Secretary of State, the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, and all Catholic bishops nationwide regarding claims of Christian killings.“They are saying that 1,200 churches are burnt in Nigeria every year, and I ask myself—in which Nigeria?” he said. “Nobody approached the Catholic Church to get accurate data. We do not know where these figures came from. Those talking about persecution—has anyone called to ask, ‘Bishop Kukah, what is the situation?’ The circulated data cleverly avoids the Catholic Church, because we don’t deal in hearsay.”
He explained that the word “genocide” is often misapplied in national discourse.“Genocide is not based on numbers. You can kill 10 million people and it still won’t qualify as genocide,” he said. “The determinant is intent—whether the goal is to eliminate a group. You don’t determine genocide by numbers, but by intention.” Challenging the narrative of Christian marginalization, Bishop Kukah questioned the basis of claims that Christians are systematically targeted.“If you are a Christian in Nigeria and say you are persecuted, my question is: how?” he asked. “At least 80% of educated Nigerians are Christians, and about 85% of the economy is controlled by Christians. With such figures, how can anyone say Christians are being persecuted?”He attributed most challenges faced by Christians to internal disunity rather than external aggression.“The main problem is that Christians succumb to bullies,” he noted. “The day we decide to stand together—believing that an injury to one is an injury to all—these things will stop.”
Bishop Kukah also cautioned against indiscriminate labeling of victims as martyrs.“Because someone is killed in a church, does that automatically make them a martyr?” he asked. “If someone is killed while stealing or attacked by bandits, does that qualify as martyrdom? We need to think more deeply.”Clarifying his earlier statements, he said his position was backed by extensive research.“ What I presented at the Vatican was a 1,270-page study on genocide in Nigeria and other places,” he stated. “My argument is that it is not accurate to claim there is genocide or martyrdom in Nigeria. He urged members of the Knights of St. Mulumba to defend the Church through exemplary conduct.“We are no longer talking about wielding swords, but about living as true witnesses,” he said.
