SHOCKING ! US Accuses Tinubu’s Government Of Allowing Hundreds Of Christians To Be Killed By Terrorists— See Details
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has issued its 2024 annual report, which emphasises the concerning number of deaths in Nigeria brought on by religious extremists— hundreds of civilians perished in 2023. The report gives the U. S. government advice on how to improve its support of religious freedom internationally while also giving a thorough account of the events of the previous year.
The study lashes out at the Nigerian government’ s response to these violent episodes, alleging that carelessness at the national and local levels has contributed to the violence’ s escalation. One of the main concerns is the government’ s difficulty in precisely identifying the attackers and motivations behind these attacks, especially when they target Christian groups.
The states of Borno, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Adamawa, and Benue are the most severely hit by acts of religious violence. The research uses statistics from the Nigerian non- governmental organisation Intersociety, which claims that armed gangs, rebel organisations, and even Nigerian government forces are to blame for 8, 222 Christian fatalities in 2023. Extremists killed 414 individuals in primarily Christian parts of Benue State alone, and they also injured, raped, or abducted an additional 100 persons. Violent gangs in three northeastern states killed 450 Christians in May and June of 2023.
According to the USCIRF assessment, Nigeria’ s religious freedom is under grave danger due to widespread violence, which has a negative influence on people’ s ability to practise their religion or beliefs. The Nigerian government has come under fire for not doing more to stop attacks on worshippers or faith- based organisations; some have even charged the government with orchestrating these attacks.
The research highlights Nigerian officials’ weak replies to incidents and their tardy response to warnings of possible attacks. Violence victims have openly denounced the absence of government accountability and demanded more robust protections for their right to practise their religion.
The Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP), Fulani militias, and other violent organisations that frequently collaborate with these insurgent groups are all criticised for their inability to be contained by the Nigerian army and police. The report details particular occurrences, including the assassination of Father Isaac Achi of the Minna Diocese in January 2023 and the Benue State killings of Pastor Dominic Dajo and his wife in May 2023. It also describes how Fulani herdsmen killed Pastor Daniel Danbeki and forty- one other people in Nasarawa State. At least 37 individuals in Yobe State lost their lives to Boko Haram extremists in February, while another 40 perished in October.
The study also notes that two ladies who had been abducted by Boko Haram in 2014 during the infamous Chibok school kidnapping were freed by the Nigerian army in May 2023. But the bloodshed continued; in November, Boko Haram killed at least ten Christians in Taraba State and fifteen farmers in Borno State.
The USCIRF research also highlights problems related to allegations of blasphemy in Nigeria. It mentions that activities considered disrespectful to religion in Nigeria can result in up to two years in prison under the country’ s penal code. In spite of this, the government has a history of failing to prosecute people guilty for acts of blasphemy- related violence. The study draws attention to the injustice in the case of Deborah Samuel, a Christian lady who was killed by a mob in May 2022 in Sokoto State; suspects were freed without facing any repercussions.
The article also discusses continuing blasphemy trials, such as the imprisonment of Sufi Muslim Yahaya Sharif- Aminu and humanist Mubarak Bala. A court in Bauchi State denied an appeal to drop Christian Rhoda Jatau’ s blasphemy accusations in a hearing held in November 2023; but, in December, she was freed on bond.
The alarming status of religious freedom in Nigeria is highlighted by the USCIRF’ s conclusions, which also demand immediate action to address the pervasive violence and the government’ s insufficient handling of these grave human rights violations.
