The Nigerian Army has dismissed as false a viral Facebook post claiming gunmen attacked the Sokoto Catholic Cathedral and the residence of Bishop Matthew Kukah. Lt.-Col. Olaniyi Osoba, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Sokoto, stated on Saturday that no such incident occurred in Sokoto State. He confirmed Bishop Kukah is carrying out his Easter duties without disruption and that both the cathedral and the bishop's residence remain secure. Osoba said the military, alongside other security agencies, has intensified measures to ensure a peaceful Easter across the division's Area of Responsibility.
The Catholic Diocese of Sokoto also denied the claim, calling it misleading and unfounded. Pascal Salifu, Director of Communications for the diocese, said the video linked to the post had previously circulated after the May 2022 murder of Deborah Yakubu. The diocese described the latest circulation as deliberate misinformation by individuals intent on sowing unrest. It affirmed that the bishop's residence, cathedral, and Catholic Pastoral Centre are safe and fully operational. Bishop Kukah extended Easter greetings to the faithful and residents, while the diocese thanked security agencies for their swift response.
A recycled video from 2022 is still capable of triggering official denials and public alarm, exposing how little has changed in Nigeria's battle against digital misinformation. Bishop Kukah's name and position were used as amplifiers, not because of any real threat, but because his profile guarantees attention. This incident did not endanger lives on the ground, but it did reveal how easily old content can weaponize fear in a country where trust in information is thin. The real story is not an attack—it is that falsehoods move faster than facts, and no institution has yet figured out how to stop them.
