365NEWS reports that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Bishop Mathew Kukah has lamented the ongoing persecution of Christians in the North, noting that those responsible for such acts continue to move freely without facing any punishment.
Speaking during the Silver Jubilee Anniversary of the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba Nigeria, Eko Subordinate Council, held in Lagos, Bishop Kukah highlighted that despite the severe mistreatment the church has endured in the North in recent years, not a single person has been prosecuted for these crimes.
In his virtual address at the event themed “Christian Martyrdom in Nigeria: A Building Block or Stumbling Block to Salvation or Patriotism,” Bishop Kukah condemned the ethnic bias increasingly associated with Christianity in Nigeria, emphasizing the need to abandon such attitudes.
He remarked, “In Northern Nigeria, Christians are among the groups you can kill without consequences. Ask yourself, has anyone ever been charged for burning churches or destroying Christian properties? A pastor was slaughtered openly in Adamawa, priests were killed in Benue, and priests have also been killed in Kaduna.”
He continued, “It seems that killing Christians is the one crime that goes unpunished in this world. If you are serious as Christians, Catholics, what happens to the church in Ikwerre, Sokoto, Onitsha, or anywhere in this country should concern us all.”
Bishop Kukah also criticized the subordination of Christianity to ethnicity, noting, “Many still hold a caliphate mentality, believing that those who are not part of us must be against us. This is the reality for Christians in many parts of Northern Nigeria, where Christianity is merely tolerated. Christians are being denied land to build churches, and it is not considered a problem.”
Reflecting on the broader Christian mission, he urged, “We must preach the gospel, whether welcome or unwelcome, because it transcends political and ethnic boundaries. Martyrdom isn’t just about being killed; it’s about speaking the truth, even when it puts your life at risk.”
He recalled, “During Abacha’s regime, people often warned me, saying, ‘Bishop, if you don’t keep quiet, you’ll be killed for nothing.’ But as Christians, we must understand that every day we face the challenge of martyrdom, with a sword metaphorically hanging over us.”
