Arise TV presenter Rufai Oseni has publicly challenged Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah following the Catholic leader’s controversial stance on religious violence against Christians in Nigeria.
Bishop Kukah, who leads the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto and chairs the National Peace Committee, recently stated that claims of Christian persecution and genocide in Nigeria are overblown.
He emphasized that genocide is determined by intent rather than death toll, a position that sparked immediate backlash.
Oseni sharply criticized what he called the bishop’s tone-deaf remarks, particularly the statement suggesting that “you can kill 10 million people and it will not be genocide.”
The broadcaster accused Kukah of ignoring the real pain Christians across Nigeria are enduring.
Pointing to concrete examples, Oseni highlighted the killing of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto over blasphemy allegations and the murder of Reverend Father Isaac Achi in Niger State as clear instances of targeted religious violence.
In a direct message on social media, the journalist invoked Pastor Martin Niemöller’s famous warning about the dangers of silence during persecution:
“First they came for the Communists, and I did not speak out… Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out… Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me.”
Oseni called on religious leaders to face the reality of what Nigerian Christians are experiencing instead of downplaying it.
He argued that influential voices should stand up for justice and protection, not dismiss those crying out for help.
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