“Whether We Call Them Bandits or Extremists, They Are Our Children” — Bishop Kukah

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, has stirred intense national conversation following a deeply reflective and controversial Christmas message in which he traced Nigeria’s worsening insecurity to long-standing social failures, poor governance, and collective neglect of children and values.

In his 2025 Christmas reflection titled “Joy and Hope in a Time of Tribulation,” Bishop Kukah argued that bandits, kidnappers and violent extremists terrorising communities across the country are not strangers to society, but products of it.

According to him, the persistent violence rocking Nigeria did not emerge suddenly or mysteriously; rather, it is the outcome of years of broken systems, failed leadership and moral decay.

“Whether we call them bandits, kidnappers or extremists, they are our children,” Kukah said. “They came out of our own loins. Our children are our future.”

The statement, delivered at a time when Nigeria continues to battle killings, abductions and widespread fear, immediately sparked debate across religious, political and social spaces. While some praised the bishop for confronting uncomfortable truths, others questioned what they saw as an attempt to humanise perpetrators of violence. Kukah, however, made it clear that his remarks were not meant to excuse criminality but to force society to confront its own role in creating the conditions that breed violence.

Painting a grim picture of the nation’s security challenges, the Sokoto-based cleric lamented that many Nigerian communities now live under the constant threat of attacks, kidnappings and displacement. He noted that the North, in particular, continues to suffer from a toxic combination of poverty, illiteracy and moral collapse—factors he described as fertile ground for criminality and extremism.

According to Kukah, years of weak governance, irresponsible leadership and neglect of social responsibility have left millions of children without education, guidance or hope. In such an environment, he warned, violence becomes not just possible but inevitable.

“We must either renovate, educate or perish,” the bishop declared, stressing that investment in education and moral renewal is no longer optional but urgent.

A significant portion of Kukah’s message focused on the plight of children trapped in Nigeria’s broken system. He expressed deep concern over the growing number of minors exposed to kidnapping, abuse, forced labour and early marriage. Referencing notorious school abductions in Chibok, Dapchi, Maga and Papiri, the bishop said nearly 2,000 children have been affected by such attacks in Nigeria alone.

He added that the tragedy of children suffering in conflict zones is not unique to Nigeria, pointing to similar humanitarian disasters unfolding in places like Gaza and Sudan. For Kukah, these shared experiences underline the global failure to protect the most vulnerable and to prioritise peace over politics and power.

Despite the heavy tone of his message, the bishop repeatedly returned to the theme of hope, reminding Christians that the birth of Christ represents light in the darkest of times. He acknowledged the pain, grief and anger many Nigerians feel, but cautioned against allowing despair or hatred to define the nation’s response to suffering.

Addressing the issue of persecution and insecurity faced by Christians in parts of the country, Kukah firmly rejected the idea of armed retaliation. Drawing from scripture, he recalled Jesus’ instruction to Peter to put away his sword, insisting that violence cannot be defeated by more violence. Christianity, he said, has survived centuries of oppression not through force but through resilience, faith and moral strength.

“Violence cannot defeat violence,” he warned, urging believers to remain steadfast in prayer, moral conduct and love, even in the face of provocation.

Beyond religious exhortation, Kukah also issued a direct challenge to Nigeria’s political leaders. He called on those in positions of authority to act responsibly and to deploy national resources for the common good rather than personal or political interests. Insecurity, poverty and bad governance, he said, must be confronted honestly if the country is to avoid sliding further into chaos.

The bishop acknowledged ongoing efforts by the government and security agencies to rescue abducted children and dismantle criminal networks, but described repeated school abductions as “one ordeal too many,” emphasising that prevention must take precedence over reaction.

In one of the most unifying parts of his message, Kukah appealed to Nigerians to reject hatred, division and blame. He reminded citizens that suffering has cut across religious and ethnic lines.

“We have buried our dead together. We have mourned together,” he said. “We must hold together in darkness so we can welcome the light together.”

As he concluded his Christmas message, Kukah urged Christians to see the season not merely as a celebration or a date on the calendar, but as a calling to reflect Christ in their daily lives.

“We do not celebrate Christmas as a feast or a date on our calendar,” he said. “We celebrate it as a vocation to let the world see and experience the face of Jesus through lives of love, peace and reconciliation.”

Ending on a note of hope, the bishop reminded Nigerians of the enduring promise of Christmas: “By the birth of Christ, Emmanuel—God is with us.” He described Christmas light as “a light that darkness cannot overcome,” encouraging citizens to remain hopeful despite the nation’s many trials.

As reactions continue to pour in from across the country, Kukah’s message has once again placed uncomfortable questions before Nigeria—about responsibility, leadership, values and the future of its children—questions that many believe the nation can no longer afford to ignore.