Trump's message on Nigeria, Bishop Kukah, others warn against emotional reactions.

Trump's message on Nigeria, Bishop Kukah, others warn against emotional reactions.

From Gabriel Agbo, Abuja 

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, has urged Nigerians to remain calm and avoid hasty conclusions over the position of US president Trump on Christians killings in Nigeria.

President Trump in a post on Friday, wrote that, “Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern.’ But that is the least of it. When Christians—or any such group—are slaughtered as is happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4,476 worldwide), something must be done!”

Speaking with journalists on Sunday in Sokoto, Kukah said it was too early to assess the full implications of the American decision.

“I have not had time to study the full details of the statement, but we must wait to see its outcome. Let us see what lessons can be drawn from this development for our national growth,” he said.

Kula  warned  against emotional reactions, adding that similar challenges existed in many countries.

Also, the regional leader of the Church of Christ in Nations, Evangelist Ezekiel Dachomo, described the designation as a “victory for Nigerian Christians.”

Dachomo, who drew global attention during the mass burial of victims of a recent attack in Heipang, Plateau State, said Trump’s declaration validated long-standing concerns about religious persecution.

“The world is finally acknowledging the cries of Nigerian Christians who have suffered years of attacks without adequate protection,” he said, expressing hope that the move would spur Nigerian authorities to act more decisively to protect citizens.

“We don’t hate Muslims. We hate terrorists and the evil that turns people against one another. This country belongs to all of us—both Christians and Muslims,” Dachomo stated.