Nigerians have revisited past statements by Bishop Matthew Kukah following his recent viral remarks denying an ongoing genocide or persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese and Convener of the National Peace Committee recently argued that claims of Christian persecution are exaggerated, stressing that genocide should be determined by intent rather than casualty numbers. He also noted that Christians hold a strong position in Nigeria’s society and economy, and discussions on persecution should rely on accurate data.
However, social media users quickly resurfaced his 2020 comments, in which he described violence against Christians as genocidal. In an interview with Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Bishop Kukah said systematic attacks on Nigerian Christians by Fulani herdsmen amounted to genocide. He also referenced the execution of five aid workers by the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP), three of whom were reportedly Christian, as part of a wider campaign of terror.
At the time, he criticized the Nigerian government and security agencies, citing failures in military response, the funding of terrorist activities through crime and ransom payments, and complicity at multiple levels. Bishop Kukah also described Nigeria as “an epicenter of terrorism in the region” and expressed frustration with unfulfilled promises from Western powers.
The resurfacing of these statements has sparked debate among Nigerians, with many questioning the apparent shift between his 2020 assessment and his recent denial of an ongoing genocide.