The 8th Division of the Nigerian Army and Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have debunked a misleading social media post circulating on Facebook, which falsely reported an armed attack on the residence of His Lordship, Bishop Matthew Kukah, the Bishop of the Sokoto Catholic Diocese and the Sokoto Catholic Cathedral.

In a similar statement, issued yesterday by Rev. Fr. Pascal Salifu, Director of Communications, Diocese of Sokoto, further stated that the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto disclaimed the attack, describing a video circulating online with the caption: “Breaking!!! Bishop Kukah’s house, Cathedral and N1 billion Catholic Pastoral Centre set ablaze by Islamists in Sokoto” as misleading and false.

Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, the 8th Division, Nigerian Army / Sector 2 Operation FANSAN YAMMA, categorically denied the unfounded claims, stating that there was no such attack in Sokoto State.

The statement assured the public that the safety and security of Bishop Matthew Kukah and the Sokoto Catholic Cathedral remained intact, and Bishop Kukah was currently fulfilling his Easter duties without any disruption.

“The Division, in collaboration with other security agencies, remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents in Sokoto State and its entire Area of Responsibility.”

The statement said. The Diocese stated that the Bishop’s residence, the Cathedral, and the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Sokoto were safe, intact, and fully operational.

The statement attributed the spread of the false information to persons committed to causing havoc in the society, particularly in the wake of the brutal murder of Deborah Yakubu, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, in Sokoto, May 2022.