According to a report by Vanguard Newspapers on Saturday, November 29, 2025, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese and Convener of the National Peace Committee (NPC), Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, has insisted that there is no evidence to support claims that Christians are being systematically persecuted in Nigeria.
His comments come amid renewed debates over religious violence and allegations of targeted attacks against Christian communities in parts of the country.
He noted that criminality across Nigeria affects people of all religions and ethnic groups, stressing that the nation’s security challenges should not be framed as a religious war.
He also challenged the widespread narrative that every Christian death in a violent incident amounts to martyrdom.
In his words, “Because someone is killed in a church, does that automatically make them a martyr? Whether you are killed while stealing someone’s yam or attacked by bandits, does that qualify as martyrdom? I am worried because we must think more deeply.”
He emphasized the need for Nigerians to distinguish between criminal attacks and targeted religious persecution, warning that conflating the two could undermine efforts to address the real issues driving violence.
The Bishop added that responsible leadership requires honesty, context, and restraint, especially when discussing matters capable of deepening national division.
He urged political leaders, religious figures, and the media to avoid amplifying unverified claims that could worsen mistrust among Nigerians. View, More,
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