The Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Mathew Kukah, has denied reports that he has been arrested by the Department of State Service (DSS).
Several reports emerged over the weekend that Kukah was invited to the DSS headquarters for questioning regarding his recent comments about President Muhammadu Buhari and his handling of bandits.
In his Christmas Day sermon, the Bishop had accused Buhari of failing to curtail the activities of terrorists, bandits and other violent criminals who had embarked on a coordinated and relentless rampage across the country.
The popular clergyman also slammed the president for failing to curb nationwide insecurity.
He had said: “We also have lost count of hundreds of individuals and families who have been kidnapped and live below the radar of publicity.
“Does the President of Nigeria not owe us an explanation and answers as to when the abductions, kidnappings, brutality, senseless, and endless massacres of our citizens will end? We need urgent answers to these questions.”
Reacting to the reports, the spokesman of the vocal cleric, Revd Christopher Omotosho, said Bishop Kukah has not been quizzed by the DSS as widely reported.
Omotosho stated that his principal is yet to receive either call or mail from the secret police regarding any comments made against the President.
The spokesman, however, advised members of the public to ignore the reported arrest of the clergyman.
He said, “The news that the Bishop was summoned for questioning by the DSS regarding his Christmas Message cannot be true because the Bishop is yet to receive either call or mail from the DSS.”
This development has elicited reactions from groups such as the Christian Association of Nigeria (Youth Wing) and the Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU) respectively.
This article was originally published on Naija News