Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto has described the North-West region of Nigeria as a “massive crime scene,” highlighting the alarming rate of violence, killings, and abductions plaguing the area.
Speaking at a public forum in Abuja on Monday, March 3, Kukah decried the deteriorating security situation in the region, calling for a new approach to addressing the crisis.
“The indicators are not regular at all. We were told that in the North-West alone, 4,500 incidents of violent attacks were recorded, over 20,000 people lost their lives, and 76 per cent of the abductions that took place in northern Nigeria occurred in the North-West. The region has become a massive crime scene, and we cannot run away from that reality,” he stated.
The cleric emphasized that the ongoing violence cannot be resolved through military force or political strategies alone, advocating for a collective effort from citizens to build resilience against extremism.
“The problems Nigeria faces now, and the violent extremism that has permeated our society, cannot be resolved by military force or political means alone. Something different has to happen. A collective decision by ordinary men and women, children, and elders in communities can help build a wall of resilience,” Kukah said.
He also stressed the importance of women’s roles in society, urging an end to harmful cultural practices that hinder progress and development across Africa.