The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Most Reverend Matthew Hassan Kukah, has raised serious concerns over the level of violence and daily killings in Nigeria, describing the situation as unlike what is seen in any other country in the world.
Bishop Kukah made the remarks in Yola, Adamawa State, during the public presentation of a book titled “The Man They Could Not Stop”, written in honour of Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri. The book was authored by Solomon Kumangar, a former Director General of Media and Communication to the governor.
Speaking at the event, Kukah said Nigeria has become dangerously divided along religious lines, with killings now reported almost daily across different parts of the country. He expressed worry that such violence has become normalised, even as innocent citizens continue to lose their lives.
“What is happening in Nigeria cannot happen in Sudan, Cameroon, Niger, Ghana, or any other country in the world,” Kukah said. “There is no other country in the world where 10 people are killed on Monday, 50 on Tuesday, 100 on Wednesday, and the killings continue every week. How can such a country move forward?”
The Catholic bishop said Nigeria’s situation is unique and troubling because violence is often reported and interpreted through religious identities. According to him, this trend has further deepened division among Nigerians and made peace more difficult to achieve.
“Only in Nigeria do people die as Christians and Muslims,” he said. “The Western media is fuelling the killings along religious lines — 20 Christians killed, 30 Muslims killed.”
Kukah explained that while insecurity is a problem in many countries, Nigeria’s case is different because violence is often framed in ways that pitch religious groups against each other. He warned that this narrative is dangerous and could further weaken national unity.
Nigeria has faced years of security challenges, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry and kidnappings in the North-West and North-Central, farmer-herder clashes, and violent attacks in parts of the South. Despite efforts by successive governments, attacks on communities, highways, and places of worship continue to be reported.
Bishop Kukah called on political and religious leaders to rise above division and work together to build strong institutions that promote peace, justice, and national unity. He said Nigeria’s future depends on leaders who are willing to unite the people rather than divide them for political or personal gain.
“We must build institutions that bring Nigerians together,” he said. “Without unity and peace, development will remain a dream.”
He also commended former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, for his role in resolving the political crisis that followed the 2023 governorship election in Adamawa State. Kukah described Jega’s intervention as timely and important for democracy.
The Adamawa governorship election in 2023 was widely reported as controversial, following the initial declaration of the election by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, which was later overturned. The situation caused tension across the state before INEC stepped in to restore order.
At the book launch, former Senate President and ex-Governor of Kwara State, Dr Bukola Saraki, also spoke on the state of the nation. Saraki urged Nigerians to focus more on leadership quality rather than political party when choosing leaders.
According to him, Nigeria can only move forward when competent and capable leaders are given the opportunity to govern.
“The country can only move forward when the right people are given the chance to pilot its affairs,” Saraki said. He added that Governor Fintiri’s achievements in infrastructure and governance show that he has the capacity to lead.
Saraki’s comments come at a time when Nigerians are increasingly calling for better governance amid economic hardship, rising cost of living, and insecurity.
Chairman of the occasion and Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, used the opportunity to encourage Governor Fintiri to join the All Progressives Congress (APC). He said the ruling party was expanding and had already gained strong presence in Adamawa State.
Governor Sule’s remarks drew reactions from the audience, reflecting the growing political interest in Adamawa as parties prepare for future elections.
In his own speech, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri described himself as a “man of destiny” and reflected on the challenges he faced during the 2023 governorship election. He said there were several attempts to stop his political journey, but he survived through the support of the people.
“There were numerous futile shots at stopping me,” Fintiri said. “The 2023 election was just the height of them, and an embarrassing one, not only to the state but to the nation and to democracy globally.”
The governor accused some political actors of betrayal and moral failure during the election period. He said the experience opened his eyes to the true character of some individuals.
“In 2023, we saw treachery; we saw assault; we saw the moral compromise of a bankrupt elite masked as patriots,” he said. “But most importantly, we saw the support and resilience of the true Adamawa people.”
Fintiri said the election helped him identify people who were only interested in personal gain and power. He warned that such individuals are still active and pose a danger to Nigeria’s democracy.
“If 2023 had not happened, I wouldn’t have known some people for who they are: pretentious, greedy, opportunistic, and desperate,” he said. “These people are still around, moving between Yola and Abuja, dangerously hovering around our democracy.”
He urged the people of Adamawa and Nigerians at large to continue resisting such forces through their votes and civic responsibility.
The book launch attracted prominent personalities from across the country. In attendance were the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed; Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State; the Deputy Governor of Oyo State; and representatives from Gombe, Borno, Yobe, Taraba, and Plateau states.
The event provided a platform not only to celebrate Governor Fintiri’s political journey but also to reflect on Nigeria’s broader challenges, especially insecurity, leadership, and national unity.
