The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, has warned that the neglect of children and moral decay in society are fueling Nigeria’s growing insecurity and violence.

In his 2025 Christmas message titled “Joy and Hope in a Time of Tribulation,” Bishop Kukah lamented the worsening security challenges confronting the country, describing perpetrators of violence as products of failed systems, poverty and toxic politics.

He stressed that children must be protected and properly nurtured, noting that they represent the future of the nation.

“Whether we call them bandits, kidnappers or extremists, they are our children. They came out of our own loins,” Kukah said. “Our children are our future.”

According to him, terrorism, banditry and other criminal activities are rooted in years of neglect, illiteracy, miseducation and moral collapse, particularly in northern Nigeria. He warned that without urgent investment in education and moral renewal, the country risks sliding deeper into chaos.

“We must either renovate, educate or perish,” the bishop declared.

Kukah also expressed deep concern over the suffering of children, both in Nigeria and globally, noting that innocent children often bear the greatest burden of dysfunctional systems. He decried the exposure of children to kidnapping, abuse, forced labour and early marriage.

Referencing mass abductions in Chibok, Dapchi, Maga and Papiri, Kukah said nearly 2,000 Nigerian children have been affected by school kidnappings. He also cited similar tragedies in conflict zones such as Gaza and Sudan.

On the Christian response to persecution, Kukah rejected retaliation and violence, urging believers to rely on faith, prayer and moral witness rather than weapons.

“Violence cannot defeat violence,” he said, recalling Jesus’ instruction to Peter to put away his sword. He added that Christianity has historically survived persecution through faith and resilience, not force.

The bishop called on Nigerian leaders to prioritize the common good by tackling insecurity, poverty and poor governance, and using the nation’s resources responsibly.

Despite the country’s challenges, Kukah urged Nigerians not to lose hope, stressing that Christmas symbolizes light overcoming darkness.

“By the birth of Christ, Emmanuel, God is with us,” he added that the light of Christmas “is a light that darkness cannot overcome," he said.

He called on citizens to resist division and hatred, urging unity in mourning and healing.

“We have buried our dead together. We have mourned together. We must hold together in darkness so we can welcome the light together,” he said.

Kukah, however, commended the government and security agencies for their efforts in securing the release of abducted schoolchildren, describing such incidents as “one ordeal too many,” and praying for an end to the tragedies. He urged Christians to embody the values of Christ during the Christmas celebration.

“We do not celebrate Christmas as a feast or a date on our calendar. We celebrate it as a vocation, to let the world see and experience the face of Jesus through lives of love, peace and reconciliation,” he said.

He concluded by wishing Nigerians a joyful Christmas and encouraged them not to surrender hope despite the nation’s trials.