Arming Citizens Isn’t The Answer, Says Bishop Kukah On Nigeria’s Security Crisis

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has cautioned that giving communities weapons to defend themselves will not resolve Nigeria’s growing insecurity challenges.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday during a national dialogue on “A Whole-of-Society Approach to Prevention of Violence and Conflict in Northern Nigeria,” Kukah emphasized that the country can only overcome its security issues when citizens—regardless of faith, ethnicity, or cultural background—unite against common threats. The event was organized jointly by the National Peace Committee, the Kukah Centre, and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Kukah raised concerns about the fate of weapons distributed to communities once peace is restored, arguing that arming citizens provides a false sense of security rather than a real solution.

“Nigeria faces deep-rooted challenges, including unstable homes, fragmented communities, and weakened moral foundations. These vulnerabilities create fertile ground for bandits and criminals to thrive,” he said.

“There is a growing notion that communities can defend themselves by arming up. But arms will not solve our problems. And when peace returns, where will those weapons go? As a Christian, it is not accidental that Jesus told Peter to put away his sword. God’s truths remain unchanged; circumstances may change, but the truth does not.”

Bishop Kukah acknowledged the severity of the insecurity problem, noting that Nigerians have “hit rock bottom” and must now move upward.

“We meet because we believe Nigeria is worth fighting for—not with weapons, but with truth, courage, justice, and compassion. Our gathering responds to the cries of our land, not to assign blame or seek excuses. Nigeria is a country still searching for itself, blessed with extraordinary diversity,” he said.

He stressed that the nation’s challenge is to turn diversity into a strength rather than a liability. “Nation-building is about harmonizing possibilities and skills from across the board,” Kukah added.

Drawing on international examples, he said the United States thrives today because it has leveraged its diversity. “If diversity were a liability, America would not be what it is.”

Concluding, Kukah emphasized that peace cannot be outsourced. “Peace is the collective work of all of us,” he said.