Matthew Kukah, Bishop of Sokoto, expresses concern over the ongoing persecution of Christians in Northern Nigeria, stating that perpetrators continue to move freely without punishment.
Speaking virtually at the Silver Jubilee Anniversary of the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba Nigeria, Eko Subordinate Council, held in Lagos, Bishop Kukah highlighted the lack of accountability for the attacks on Christian communities in the region.
The event was themed, “Christian Martyrdom in Nigeria…a Building Block or Stumbling Block to Salvation or Patriotism.”
Bishop Kukah noted that despite the numerous incidents of violence against the church in recent years, not a single individual has been prosecuted for these heinous acts.
He specifically pointed to instances where pastors and priests have been brutally murdered in states like Adamawa, Benue, and Kaduna, yet the perpetrators have not been brought to justice.
“In Northern Nigeria, Christians constitute some of the groups that you can kill without consequences,” Bishop Kukah stated.
“Has anybody ever been charged for burning churches or for destroying Christian properties? A pastor was slaughtered openly in Adamawa. Priests were killed in Benue and Kaduna. It seems as if killing Christians is the only thing the world can do without consequences.”
The Bishop also condemned the ethnic bias that has increasingly colored the Christian faith in Nigeria, warning that such divisive attitudes must be abandoned.
He stressed that Christianity should transcend ethnic and regional differences, uniting believers across the country.
“Tragically, Christianity has become largely subordinated to ethnicity,” Kukah lamented. “Many people today still have a caliphate mentality that those who are not part of us must be against us. And this is the fate of Christians and Christianity in many parts of Northern Nigeria today, where Christianity is being tolerated.”
Bishop Kukah further criticized the denial of land to Christians for the construction of churches in certain areas, likening the situation to similar challenges faced in places like Kenya.
He urged Christians to remain steadfast in their faith and continue to preach the gospel, regardless of political or ethnic boundaries.
“It is not about friendship. If it were about friendship, Jesus would have said to Peter, get behind me. When we are confronted, martyrdom is not just about being killed. Because, of course, in the end, you are killed for speaking the truth,” he said.
Reflecting on his experiences during the Abacha regime, Bishop Kukah recalled being warned about the dangers of speaking out, yet he emphasized the importance of standing firm in the face of adversity.
“Every day of our lives as Christians, we are challenged to martyrdom. Martyrdom because a sword is dangling before us,” he concluded.