Sokoto Catholic bishop says his comments on alleged Christian genocide were misinterpreted, insists insecurity affects all Nigerians regardless of faith

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has firmly denied claims that he said there is no persecution of Christians in Nigeria, clarifying that his remarks on the issue were widely misinterpreted.

Bishop Kukah addressed the controversy during an appearance on the radio programme Boiling Point on Sunday, where he explained that he has never downplayed the suffering or killings of Christians in the country.

The clarification follows renewed international debate after the United States government, on October 31, redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), citing allegations of a Christian genocide. The CPC designation is reserved for countries accused of “systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom.”

While the Nigerian government has consistently rejected claims of genocide, the issue gained further attention after former US President Donald Trump threatened military action against terrorists targeting Christians in Nigeria. On December 25, the United States reportedly carried out airstrikes on terrorist camps in Sokoto State.

Reacting to the backlash, Bishop Kukah said he was shocked that some Christians interpreted his comments as a denial of persecution. “I never denied the killing of our people,” he stated. “I have never denied that there is persecution of Christians in Nigeria. Whether you call it persecution or genocide, by God, this is something that should never have happened.”

The bishop stressed that Nigeria’s security crisis cuts across religious and ethnic lines, noting that Muslims and Christians alike face the same dangers. “It doesn’t matter where you are or what religion you belong to, you are at risk of being abducted,” he said.

Earlier in October, Bishop Kukah had appealed to the United States not to redesignate Nigeria as a CPC, arguing that insecurity in the country affects citizens irrespective of their faith, ethnicity or social status, and that the situation should not be framed solely along religious lines.

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