Bishop Kukah Blasts Government For Not Protecting Christians
In a harrowing week marked by coordinated attacks and mass killings, nearly 200 Christians have been murdered in central Nigeria. The tragic spike in violence has provoked sharp condemnation from Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, who accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect its Christian citizens.
Among the most devastating incidents was the Palm Sunday massacre in Zikke, Plateau State, where gunmen believed to be Fulani extremists reportedly slaughtered 56 people, torched over 100 homes, and displaced an entire community.
“In under seven days, our land has drunk the blood of nearly 200 innocent souls,” said Bishop Kukah. “The silence and sluggishness of our leadership in responding to this bloodshed reflect a troubling complacency.”
The violence began on April 13 with the raid on Zikke village, followed by further assaults on surrounding communities. Despite prior alerts, locals say security forces were slow to act. Survivors accused authorities of disarming Christian villagers while failing to contain armed attackers.
Reverend Hezekiah Mukan presided over a mass burial for 51 victims the following day, urging mourners to remain steadfast in their faith. Pastor Ishaku Mathew Kure, who lost ten church members, decried the attacks as organised and systematic. “This is not random,” he said. “The government must be held accountable for ignoring the threat.”
Bishop Kukah also raised concerns over renewed threats posed by extremist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province), describing their activities as a “dance of terror” across northern Nigeria.
Also read: Federal Workers in Oyo State Begin Indefinite Strike Today
The killings are part of a broader trend of targeted violence against Christians, especially in Plateau and other middle-belt states. Between December 2023 and February 2024, over 1,300 lives were lost in Plateau alone, according to International Christian Concern. Another watchdog, Intersociety, reports that over 20,000 Christians have been killed by Fulani militants in the past decade in southeastern Nigeria.
Reacting to the carnage, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja emphasised the need for self-defence. “It is unjust to remain passive while killers invade your home,” he said. “Every community has a right to protect its own.”
Meanwhile, human rights groups are calling on international bodies to pressure the Nigerian government into action. Emeka Umeagbalasi, head of Intersociety, criticised the state’s policy of selective disarmament and lack of justice for victims. “Foreign governments must demand accountability,” he insisted.
Content credit: Oyedepo Oluwafifedoyinsola
Image credit: vanguardngr.com
