The Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Matthew Hassan-Kukah, declared on Saturday that the relentless killings in Plateau State extend beyond mere herder-farmer clashes.
According to Kukah, the perpetrators behind the bloodshed are driven by an ideology that seeks to reshape Nigeria in their own image. In no uncertain terms, he asserted that a war is being waged against Nigeria by these enemies of the nation.
Expressing his concern in a statement, Kukah emphasized the urgent need for the government to resist the agenda of these marauders and ensure the protection of Nigerian citizens.
The fiery cleric strongly condemned the recent attacks by terrorists on communities in the Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State, which occurred on Christmas Eve.
The tragic events have claimed over 200 lives, with hundreds of houses and farmlands ravaged by the violence.
Labeling the perpetrators as “sons of Satan,” Kukah lamented the deliberate extinguishing of the Christmas joy from thousands of people on the Plateau.
He warned against turning a blind eye to the reality of the situation, asserting that Nigeria is currently under attack from forces with a sinister agenda.
“We may pretend that we are not at war, but truly, a war is being waged against the Nigerian state and its people. God forbid, but we could snap anytime, anywhere, and for any reason,” Kukah declared, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
The bishop posed a series of poignant questions that demanded answers from authorities: Who are these killers? Where are they coming from? Who is sponsoring them? What are their grievances, and against whom? What do they seek to achieve? Whom do they represent, and who is providing them with cover?
According to Kukah, the underlying motive of these assailants is a quest for power on their own terms, driven by a distinct ideology of what Nigeria should be.
He asserted that the recent wave of killings goes beyond mere conflicts between herders and farmers over grazing fields, characterizing them as a prelude to a more profound and ideologically fueled upheaval.
In a direct address to the military, Kukah stressed that intelligence failures must not persist. The need for a robust and effective response to counteract the ideological warfare being waged against the nation is paramount.
The bishop’s call to action resonates with a plea for urgent and comprehensive measures to protect the integrity and security of Nigeria and its people in the face of this grave and escalating threat.
