The Sokoto Catholic Diocese has denied allegations that suspected Islamists in the state set fire to Bishop Matthew Kukah’s home, the Sokoto Cathedral, and a ₦1 billion Catholic Pastoral Center.
It was known that Kukah’s house had been attacked, according to a widely shared video on social media.
However, the Diocese claimed that no such occurrence took place in an official statement released on Saturday.
The Diocese assured the public that the Catholic Pastoral Center and the Cathedral are still secure, intact, and fully functional in a statement issued by Rev. Fr. Pascal Salifu, Director of Communications.
According to Salifu, the video reappeared in the wake of increased sensitivity when Deborah Yakubu, a student at Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto, was killed in May 2022.
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The Diocese claims that the video’s dissemination is the result of people who are determined to spread fear and undermine social harmony.
The statement reaffirmed that the Catholic Pastoral Center, the Cathedral, and the Bishop’s home in Sokoto are still secure, undamaged, and fully functional.
The Diocese also praised the military’s and other security organizations’ quick action when the fake video surfaced.
It also reassured locals that Sokoto is still serene and tranquil, advising people to ignore false information and trust reliable sources.
The Bishop sent well wishes for a happy and grace-filled Easter celebration ahead of time to all the locals and the Christian faithful.
