Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, has voiced grave concerns regarding the escalating security crisis in Nigeria.
In his Easter message delivered on Sunday, Bishop Kukah cautioned that the nation is perilously close to becoming a “vast national morgue,” plagued by relentless killings and pervasive violence.
He highlighted the profound suffering experienced by Nigerians, describing the current atmosphere as characterised by “a culture of brutality and savagery never witnessed in the history of our dear country.” He drew a poignant parallel to the crucifixion, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take immediate action to alleviate the suffering of citizens trapped in this “cross of evil.”
“Mr. President, we all admit that you neither erected this cross nor initiated our collective crucifixion. However, Nigerians have been left bleeding and dangling on this cross of pain and mindless suffering for far too long,” Kukah stated.
The Bishop condemned the alarming rise in kidnappings, killings, and various forms of violent crimes, asserting that no community remains untouched by the tide of insecurity. “A dark pall of death hangs languidly from north to south. Every day, innocent citizens are kidnapped and held under the most inhuman conditions. Nigeria is reaching a breaking point,” he warned.
Kukah also critiqued the government’s handling of economic challenges, particularly the use of palliatives, which he believes undermine the dignity of the populace. “While we agree that removing fuel subsidies was a necessary decision and acknowledge the availability of more domestic resources, the reality is that farming has become one of the most dangerous occupations in Nigeria for over a decade. Mere palliatives are insufficient. What Nigerians need is sustainable access to food and security,” he asserted.
In his call for urgent reforms, the Bishop urged President Tinubu to enshrine food security as a fundamental human right. “Make food security a constitutional right for all citizens. Mr. President, please bring us down from this painful cross of hunger,” he appealed.
Despite the bleak circumstances, Bishop Kukah encouraged Nigerians to maintain hope, emphasising their collective duty to dispel the darkness enveloping the nation. “The structural deformities, iniquities, and corruption of our country must not be an excuse to lose hope. We are the light of the world, a city set on a hill. With the light of Christ, we can build a society that reflects the will of our Creator,” he remarked.
He concluded his message with blessings for the nation and a heartfelt wish for all Nigerians: “I wish you, Mr. President, and all Nigerians, a blessed and happy Easter.”
