Bishop Matthew Kukah has described Nigeria’s North-West as a "massive crime scene" due to increasing violence and kidnappings. He called for collective action beyond military solutions, stressing the need for community resilience and the empowerment of women to combat insecurity.
Bishop Matthew Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto has described the North-West as a "massive crime scene," highlighting the alarming rate of violence and insecurity in the region. Speaking at a public forum in Abuja on March 3, he revealed that over 4,500 violent incidents had been recorded, with more than 20,000 lives lost. He also noted that 76% of kidnappings in northern Nigeria occurred in the North-West.
The cleric stressed that military force alone cannot solve Nigeria’s security crisis and called for a collective effort from citizens to build resilience against rising extremism. He urged communities to work together in strengthening social bonds to counter the deepening crisis. Kukah also emphasized the crucial role of women in society, advocating for the abandonment of harmful cultural practices that contribute to instability.
He concluded by calling for urgent action, urging both government authorities and ordinary citizens to take a stand in addressing insecurity.
