St. Mary’s Cathedral Wukari, the official seat of Most Rev. Mark Nzukwein, who was consecrated and installed on 13 April 2023 as the first Bishop of Wukari Diocese in north-eastern Nigeria, has been completely consumed by a devastating inferno that thwarted all rescue efforts.
This disclosure was made in a 2-minute-five-second video obtained by Advocatus Africa, where the Justice Development and Peace Commission/Caritas Coordinator, Rev. Fr. Augustine Chifu, explained what happened.
“Sadly, this is St. Mary’s Cathedral, Wukari. It caught fire some minutes ago this night, and as you can see, the whole roof is completely raised, and some of the pews were rescued and that is about the most that the people who came early could do,” he said.
St. Mary’s Cathedral Wukari on fire. Credit: We Are Catholic
Providing details about the cause of the fire, the priest said, “With time, we will find out the cause of the fire outbreak, but at the moment, this is the situation, and this is the condition of the Cathedral.”
On what was rescued, Fr. Chifu said, “Currently, some of the pews are burning inside. And the whole roof is gone. This is what is left of St. Mary’s Cathedral.”
The cleric lamented about the various misfortunes that have befallen the diocese, which was carved out of Jalingo Diocese by Pope Francis on 14 December 2022.
“It is a very sad incident. And it’s been one hazard to another in the diocese,” Fr. Chifu decried, adding, “Please continue to pray for us, let us hope that things get better someday.”
Three weeks ago, Advocatus Africa reported on a press briefing by the Catholic Diocese of Wukari on the incessant attacks, killings, and displacement of farmers by suspected Fulani militia across the Wukari diocese, southern Taraba, which was held on Thursday, 12 February 2026, at the Catholic Secretariat, Jalingo.
St. Mary’s Cathedral Wukari before the inferno. Credit: We Are Catholic
Following the sacking of various communities by suspected Fulani militia, the statement disclosed that “More than 80 persons have been killed so far, several others injured with various degrees of injuries, while over 200 communities and Churches have been destroyed and the residents, numbering over 90,000 Catholics, displaced.”
Priests and religious of the Diocese who staged a peaceful protest at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cathedral, Jalingo, the Taraba State Capital, over the killing of innocent lives demanded the protection of thousands of citizens, and the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.
This is really sad
Indeed. We keep Wukari Diocese in our prayers. Thank you for your feedback!
Most unfortunate really.
We keep the diocese in our prayers. Thank you for your comments!