By Ayomide Otitoju
The President of the African Confederation of Old Catholic Churches, Most Rev. Dr. Oluwaseun Fagbohun, has called on the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, to issue a public apology over remarks he described as misleading on terrorism and Christian persecution in Nigeria.
In his New Year message, a copy of which was shared with newsmen, Bishop Fagbohun accused Bishop Kukah of remaining silent despite allegedly being aware of the activities of terrorists, bandits, and Boko Haram operatives in his jurisdiction. He said the bishop failed in his moral and spiritual duty by “pretending not to be aware” of insurgent activities in parts of Sokoto State, which, he claimed, were carried out openly.
Bishop Fagbohun also criticised Bishop Kukah for previously asserting that Christians were not being persecuted by insurgent groups, calling the statement “misleading” and inconsistent with the experiences of Christian communities across the country. According to him, many families have suffered displacement, loss of lives, destruction of worship centres, and psychological trauma, and denying these realities undermines victims and weakens the moral authority of the Church.
He said Bishop Kukah’s perceived inaction and statements have eroded public confidence in Christian leadership, particularly at a time when religious leaders are expected to speak truth to power and support victims of violence.
“Bishop Kukah has not only betrayed the Christian faith but also the trust of the nation by pretending not to know that terrorists are operating within his jurisdiction,” Bishop Fagbohun said. He urged the bishop, who is respected nationally and internationally for his social advocacy, to apologise to restore public trust and moral credibility.
Bishop Fagbohun also criticised Kukah’s interactions with national leadership, questioning his failure to alert authorities earlier about terrorist activities in his area. “His hypocrisy must stop. He should apologise to Nigerians and the world,” he added.
He concluded by calling on Christian leaders across denominations to rise above fear, political correctness, or compromise, and to speak boldly against terrorism, regardless of ethnic, regional, or religious considerations
