The Catholic Diocese of Sokoto has said that a viral video that says Islamists set fire to the home of Bishop Matthew Kukah, the Cathedral, and a ₦1 billion Catholic Pastoral Centre in Sokoto is incorrect and deceptive.
The Diocese made it clear in an official statement on April 4, 2026, that all of the buildings shown in the film are still secure, intact, and fully operational. They asked the people to ignore the content that is going around.
The Director of Communications, Rev. Fr. Pascal Salifu, signed the statement. It said that the video is not new and is being used again on purpose to cause alarm and disturbance.
The Diocese says that the video originally appeared amid the riots that broke out after the terrible death of Deborah Yakubu, a student at Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto, in May 2022. It said that the revived circulation was the product of people who wanted to cause division and disorder in society.
The Diocese praised the quick action of the military and other security agencies in response to the concerns highlighted by the video.
The Diocese said that Sokoto is still calm and tranquil, and there have been no violent events relating to the statements in the film. This reassured residents and the general public.
The Bishop also sent good wishes to the faithful and everyone else who wanted to hear them, wishing them a happy and blessed Easter in advance.
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