By Onoja Baba, Nigeria
The Kukah Centre (TKC) has strongly refuted media reports that its founder, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, downplayed or denied the persecution of Christians in parts of Northern Nigeria.
In a press statement issued by Executive Director, Fr. Atta Barkindo, the Centre described recent headlines and attributions as “selective” and “clearly mis-characterised,” insisting that Bishop Kukah has consistently highlighted the gravity of faith-based violence.
The controversy arose from two recent events which are Bishop Kukah’s speech at the launch of the 2025 World Report on Religious Freedom at the Vatican on 21 October 2025, and His address to the 46th Supreme Convention of the Knights of St. Mulumba in Kaduna on 28 November 2025.
The Centre quoted directly from the Vatican speech saying > “The inability of the federal government and its security agencies to end these killings has created the condition for the genocide that has taken over many communities today… Nigerians are dying unacceptable deaths across the country. In many cases, they are targeted because of their beliefs but also because of their ethnicity.”
It clarified that the Kaduna remarks were meant to draw historical parallels with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the martyrdom of the apostles, to encourage resilience, faith, solidarity, justice, and healing, not to minimise current suffering.
To counter further distortion, The Kukah Centre has uploaded the full texts and PowerPoint presentation of both speeches on its website (www.thekukahcentre.org).
Reaffirming its stance, the Centre urged “zero tolerance for religious persecution, solidarity with victims and affected communities, and accountability for perpetrators.”
Bishop Kukah, a long-time advocate for religious freedom and interfaith dialogue, has faced similar controversies in the past over his outspoken criticism of insecurity and governance
failures in Nigeria.
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