Lagos, Nigeria – President Bola Tinubu and state governors of Nigeria are under scrutiny for failing to address the “egregious violence” targeting Christian worshippers in the country, according to the 2024 annual report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
The report, covering developments in 2023, highlights the challenges faced by both federal and state governments in identifying the perpetrators behind violent attacks on Christians and understanding the motives driving these acts of violence.
USCIRF’s latest report points to states such as Borno, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Adamawa, and Benue as hotspots of religious violence in Nigeria. For example, a Nigerian non-governmental organization, Intersociety, reported that in 2023, there were 8,222 Christian deaths attributed to violent insurgent groups, armed gangs, and government forces in the country.
Violence in Benue state led to the deaths of 414 individuals from predominantly Christian communities, with 100 more people being injured, raped, or kidnapped. Furthermore, the report reveals that violent groups killed 450 Christians across three northeastern states in just two months.
The USCIRF report also documents specific incidents, such as the killing of 29 people, including Christians, in Plateau State in June, and the kidnapping and killing of individuals in various states by bandits and extremists. It highlights the lack of government accountability in addressing these attacks and protecting religious freedom.
The report underscores the need for swift government action to prevent further attacks and hold perpetrators accountable. Both the police and army have been criticized for their inability to effectively combat violent insurgent groups like Boko Haram and Fulani gangs, which often target religious leaders.
Overall, the USCIRF report paints a grim picture of religious freedom conditions in Nigeria, emphasizing the urgent need for government intervention to safeguard the rights of all citizens to practice their faith without fear of persecution.