The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has raised grave concerns over Nigeria’s escalating security crisis, warning that the nation is slowly turning into a vast national cemetery due to unrelenting violence and widespread killings.
In his Easter message delivered on Sunday, April 20, Bishop Kukah lamented the rising tide of human suffering, describing the present reality as one shaped by “a culture of brutality and savagery unlike anything in our nation’s history.”
Drawing on the metaphor of the crucifixion, Kukah likened the anguish of Nigerians to Christ’s suffering on the cross. He appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to act swiftly and decisively to rescue citizens from what he called “this cross of evil.” While acknowledging that the president inherited the crisis, the bishop stressed that Nigerians have been “bleeding and suspended on this cross of pain and senseless hardship for far too long.”
Kukah strongly condemned the surge in kidnappings, killings, and violent crimes, noting that nearly every family and community in the country has been affected. “A dark cloud of death hangs over the nation, from north to south. Every day, innocent people are abducted and held in appalling conditions. Nigeria is reaching a critical breaking point,” he warned.
The bishop also criticized the government’s economic approach, particularly its reliance on palliative measures to address hardship. He argued that these temporary fixes degrade the dignity of citizens. While acknowledging the removal of fuel subsidies and the potential financial relief it offers, Kukah expressed concern over the growing risks faced by farmers—pointing out that agriculture has been among the most dangerous professions in Nigeria for over a decade. He urged the government to move beyond short-term relief and focus on ensuring lasting food security.
Calling for urgent reforms, Kukah urged President Tinubu to recognize food security as a constitutional right. “Mr. President, please bring us down from this painful cross of hunger. Make food security a constitutional right for all Nigerians,” he appealed.
Despite the bleak situation, Bishop Kukah encouraged Nigerians not to lose hope. He reminded the nation of its responsibility to push back against the darkness and rebuild a just society. “The structural flaws, injustices, and corruption that plague our country must not extinguish our hope. We are the light of the world—a city on a hill. With the light of Christ, we can create a nation that reflects God’s vision,” he said.
He ended his Easter message with prayers for the nation and a hopeful call for unity and faith in the country’s future. “To you, Mr. President, and to all Nigerians, I wish a blessed and joyful Easter,” Kukah concluded.