The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Reverend Matthew Hassan Kukah, on Thursday called on Nigerians to embrace peace, reconciliation and hope despite the wave of killings, abductions and insecurity across the country, declaring that bandits, kidnappers and violent extremists troubling Nigeria are products of the same society they now terrorise.
In his 2025 Christmas message titled “Joy and Hope in a Time of Tribulation,” Bishop Kukah lamented that while Christmas is traditionally a season of joy, Nigeria remains trapped in what he described as “a valley of violence and sorrow,” marked by widespread bloodshed and human suffering.
Warning that continued neglect of children, education and moral values will only deepen Nigeria’s security crisis, Kukah said the country is paying the price for years of failure in leadership, governance and social responsibility.
Speaking directly on insecurity, the cleric said those responsible for violence did not come from nowhere.
According to him, society itself produced them through broken systems and toxic politics.
“Whether we call them bandits, kidnappers or extremists, they are our children. They came out of our own loins.
Our children are our future.”
In his Christmas reflection titled “Joy and Hope in a Time of Tribulation,” Kukah said Nigeria is facing painful trials, including killings, abductions and fear across many communities.
Despite this, he reminded Christians that the birth of Christ represents hope even in the darkest seasons.
The bishop described insecurity in Nigeria, especially in the northern region, as the result of long-standing poverty, illiteracy, miseducation and moral collapse. He warned that ignoring these root causes would push the country closer to chaos.
As a way forward, Kukah called for urgent investment in education and moral renewal across the nation.
“We must either renovate, educate or perish.”
He also expressed concern about the suffering of children, noting that they are the worst victims of Nigeria’s broken system.
According to him, many innocent children are exposed to kidnapping, abuse, forced labour and early marriage, all without any fault of theirs.
Kukah referenced repeated school abductions in places such as Chibok, Dapchi, Maga and Papiri. He said nearly 2,000 children have been affected by such attacks in Nigeria alone. He added that similar tragedies are happening globally, mentioning conflict zones like Gaza and Sudan.
On how Christians should respond to persecution and violence, the bishop firmly rejected revenge or armed retaliation. He urged believers to rely on faith, prayer and moral conduct rather than weapons.
Citing the biblical moment when Jesus asked Peter to put away his sword, Kukah said, “Violence cannot defeat violence.” He added that history shows Christianity has survived oppression through resilience, not force.
The Sokoto-based cleric also challenged Nigerian leaders to take responsibility by using the country’s vast resources for the common good. He said insecurity, poverty and bad governance must be confronted honestly if the nation is to move forward.
Despite the grim realities, Kukah urged Nigerians not to surrender hope. He described Christmas as a reminder that light will always overcome darkness.
“By the birth of Christ, Emmanuel—God is with us,” he said, adding that the light of Christmas “is a light that darkness cannot overcome.”
He called on Nigerians to reject division, hatred and bitterness. According to him, the country must heal together by drawing strength from shared pain and collective hope.
“We have buried our dead together. We have mourned together.
We must hold together in darkness so we can welcome the light together.”
Kukah also acknowledged the efforts of the government and security agencies in securing the release of abducted schoolchildren in recent cases. He described the repeated abductions as “one ordeal too many” and prayed that such incidents would finally come to an end.
In his closing message, the bishop urged Christians to reflect Christ’s character in their daily lives, stressing that Christmas goes beyond celebration.
“We do not celebrate Christmas as a feast or a date on our calendar.
We celebrate it as a vocation — to let the world see and experience the face of Jesus through lives of love, peace and reconciliation.”
He concluded by wishing Nigerians a joyful Christmas and encouraged citizens not to give up hope, even amid the nation’s many challenges.
