- Bishop Kukah says genocide claims in Nigeria are not backed by verified data.
- Argues killings of Christians do not meet international genocide definition.
- Warns against misinformation and foreign-driven narratives on persecution.
- Says lack of unity among Christians fuels fear, not systematic targeting.
Most Rev. Matthew Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese and Convener of the National Peace Committee, has clarified that Nigeria is not experiencing a Christian genocide as widely circulated in recent discussions.
Speaking at the 46th Supreme Convention of the Knights of St. Mulumba in Kaduna, Kukah stated that figures being shared about alleged mass killings of Christians are exaggerated and unverified.
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He said his position aligns with that of the Vatican, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), and other senior clerics.
He questioned the accuracy of the statistics being pushed in some circles.
“They say 1,200 churches are burnt every year in Nigeria, and I ask myself, in which Nigeria? Nobody contacted the Catholic Church for accurate data,” he said.
Kukah stressed that the claim of Christian genocide does not meet international criteria because genocide is determined by deliberate intention, not casualty figures.
“Genocide is not based on numbers. You can kill millions and it still won’t qualify. What matters is intent, whether the goal is to eliminate a particular group.”
He also challenged the idea that Christians are systematically targeted in Nigeria. According to him, Christians dominate the educated population and hold significant roles in the economy.
“At least 80% of educated Nigerians are Christians and up to 85% of the economy is controlled by Christians. So how can Christians be persecuted?”
Kukah suggested that many of the fears expressed within Christian communities stem from internal divisions and misinformation rather than coordinated attacks.
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He cautioned against casually labeling every victim of violence as a martyr.
“If someone is killed in church, does that make them a martyr? Whether attacked by bandits or thieves, we must think more deeply.”
Addressing earlier reactions to his comments on avoiding foreign classification of Nigeria as a country of religious concern, he warned that such labels could deepen division and encourage extremist groups.
Kukah added that his position is backed by extensive research.
“I presented a 1,270-page study on genocide in Nigeria and elsewhere at the Vatican. It is not accurate to claim there is genocide or martyrdom in Nigeria.”
