As violence, kidnappings, and displacement continue to threaten millions across northern Nigeria, faith communities stand at a crossroads of fear and resilience. In this exclusive interview, Voice Afrique speaks with Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Musa, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Katsina — one of the regions most affected by insecurity. The bishop reflects on the Church’s mission amid violence, the endurance of faith, and the difficult road toward peace, justice, and reconciliation.
Voice Afrique:
My Lord, how would you describe the issue of insecurity in your diocese? Has it improved recently or worsened?
Bishop Musa:
Insecurity in the Katsina area has worsened over the past decade. We face an increase in kidnappings for ransom, raids on villages, cattle rustling, and occasional attacks on religious gatherings. Regionally, the northwest has seen thousands of violent incidents in recent years. Nationally, there are over two million internally displaced people (IDPs) and continuing high civilian fatalities in affected states.
In our diocese, entire farming communities have fled to towns, parishes cannot meet freely at night, and schools have been forced to close. Imagine a farmers’ market where, one by one, stalls keep closing because sellers are afraid to come — soon, the market will be gone.
Voice Afrique:
To what extent has this affected pastoral life in your diocese? What is the fate of the faithful, especially those living in the villages and hinterlands?
Bishop Musa:
Pastoral life has been severely strained. Some of our rural church communities are badly affected. Those in the villages suffer the most because of the lack of security personnel.
We are deeply concerned as many people lose their farmlands, schools close, children are sent to relatives far away, and families live in IDP settings with little or no pastoral care. Priests spend much time offering emergency relief and trauma counselling.
One of our churches in an outstation has been completely deserted because the village lies along a route used by bandits, and the people have suffered many casualties. A church without people is like a lantern without oil — it looks whole but does not give light.
While the people have kept their faith, many have migrated to nearby towns for safety.
Voice Afrique:
Recently, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz said Christians are deliberate prime targets for genocide in Nigeria, citing realities in the North and North Central states. What do you think about this statement?
Bishop Musa:
Many Christian communities, especially in the Middle Belt and other parts of the North, have been heavily victimized and attacked in incidents that appear to target them. At the same time, violence in Nigeria has multiple drivers — crime, banditry, land disputes, and Islamist militancy. Not every incident is motivated by religion alone.
Senator Cruz voices the anguish felt by many victims; his statement captures a painful reality in many localities. However, we must continue to press for clear investigations to determine motive and responsibility in each case.
Voice Afrique:
On March 12, 2025, Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe testified before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, describing the suffering and displacement of his people and urging the White House to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern. How true is this reality across the North? Is there a deliberate targeting of Christians, despite the fact that insecurity affects all?
Bishop Musa:
Bishop Anagbe spoke from painful experience; his testimony reflects real suffering and mass displacement. Across the North, we see patterns where Christian villages, clergy, and churches are frequent victims, especially in areas where communities are majority-Christian.
However, insecurity also affects many Muslim communities through kidnappings, bandit attacks, and communal clashes. In some hotspots, attacks have a sectarian colouring; in others, they are criminal or resource-driven.
What is indisputable is the human cost and the urgent need for justice.
Voice Afrique:
The Nigerian government has been accused of treating insecurity with kid gloves. Do you think there has been an improvement in transparency and accountability?
Bishop Musa:
There have been some improvements in reporting and military actions, but real accountability remains weak. Families are still searching for answers about missing loved ones, many attacks are never investigated, and very few perpetrators are brought to justice.
For peace to last, the government must provide consistent protection, conduct open investigations, and ensure fair trials — not just issue statements or take occasional actions. Progress is small and scattered, but not enough. It is like giving medicine without first finding out the real sickness; the patient will not get well.
Voice Afrique:
Are there initiatives between Christian and Muslim leaders in the North to tackle poverty and ignorance among young people and homeless children—factors driving youth towards extremist groups—as a pastoral approach to the problem? How much has this insecurity united Christians and Muslims, who are both victims of extremism?
Bishop Musa:
The greater initiatives I observe are more informal than formal and often occur between family members and friends of different faiths. Both Christian and Muslim leaders increasingly speak with one voice about addressing the plight of almajiri children, working with NGOs to reintegrate them into formal education and reduce their vulnerability to extremist recruitment.
These grassroots initiatives show that when leaders work together on education and livelihoods, young people are offered hope beyond violence. When two neighbours share one well, both quench their children’s thirst.
In many places, yes — suffering has created solidarity. I have seen Muslim neighbours shelter Christian families, and Christian communities host Muslim victims. I have also seen Muslims attend Christian weddings and burials, and vice versa. But unity is fragile and must be nurtured with justice and good governance; otherwise, fear and suspicion can easily be reignited by opportunists.
Voice Afrique:
What message of hope can you give to Nigerians who feel helpless and abandoned in the face of rising violence?
Bishop Musa:
We stand with the suffering, the displaced, and the wounded — in prayer and in practical aid. Faith teaches that even in the darkest night, dawn will come. Our call is to be that dawn for others — through prayer, service, advocacy, and patient rebuilding.
When the night seems unending, remember: the lamp you hold can lead one neighbour to safety. Light it.