The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, on Thursday visited the Sokoto Custodial Centre as part of his annual Christmas outreach, where he met with the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and other inmates.
The visit, which forms part of Bishop Kukah’s long-standing tradition of reaching out to inmates during the Christmas season, was aimed at offering spiritual support, encouragement, and humanitarian assistance to those in custody.
During the visit, Bishop Kukah interacted with inmates, prayed with them, and delivered messages of hope, reconciliation, and forgiveness, emphasizing the need for compassion and respect for human dignity regardless of circumstances.
According to sources at the custodial centre, the cleric also held brief discussions with Nnamdi Kanu, urging him and other inmates to remain steadfast in faith and hopeful for a peaceful resolution of their situations.
Speaking after the visit, Bishop Kukah reiterated the importance of extending love and care to the marginalised, especially during festive periods. He noted that Christmas is a time to remember those behind bars and to reaffirm society’s commitment to justice, mercy, and rehabilitation.
The visit has attracted public attention given Kanu’s high-profile detention and ongoing trial. However, the Catholic bishop maintained that his outreach was purely pastoral and humanitarian, devoid of political considerations.
Nnamdi Kanu has been in detention since 2021 and is facing terrorism-related charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Bishop Kukah concluded the visit by calling for prayers for peace, unity, and justice in Nigeria, urging leaders and citizens alike to work towards a more compassionate and inclusive society.
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