The Catholic Diocese of Sokoto Diocese has dismissed a viral social media claim alleging that the residence of the Bishop of Matthew Kukah, the Holy Family Catholic Cathedral, and a multi-million-naira Catholic pastoral centre were attacked and set ablaze in Sokoto.
The diocese described the claim as false, misleading, and the handiwork of individuals bent on causing panic and unrest.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Director of Communications for the diocese, Pascal Salifu, the Church clarified that all its facilities remain intact, safe, and fully operational.
“The Bishop’s residence, the Cathedral, and the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Sokoto remain safe, intact, and fully operational,” the statement read.
The clarification comes in response to a video circulating widely on social media, which alleged that the facilities were attacked by protesters following the arrest of suspects linked to the 2022 killing of Deborah Yakubu, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto.
Salifu said the video being shared was misleading and had resurfaced from an earlier incident, stressing that it was being deliberately misrepresented to inflame tension.
He added that the narrative was being pushed by individuals “committed to causing havoc in our society,” urging members of the public to disregard the content and rely only on verified information.
According to the diocese, security agencies, including military personnel and other state operatives, swiftly responded once the false information began to circulate, further reinforcing that there was no threat or attack on any Catholic facility in the state.
The Church also assured residents that Sokoto remains calm and peaceful, with no reported incident of violence targeted at the bishop’s residence, the cathedral, or any other Church property.
Reiterating its commitment to peace and unity, the diocese conveyed Bishop Kukah’s goodwill message, extending early Easter greetings to “all the faithful and people of goodwill,” while urging the public to avoid spreading unverified claims capable of inciting fear or religious tension.
The clarification is expected to calm anxieties triggered by the viral video, as authorities continue to warn against the spread of misinformation on social media.
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