Lagos, Nigeria – The 2024 annual report from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has shed light on the continued tolerance of “egregious violence” against Christian worshippers in Nigeria by President Bola Tinubu and state governors.
The report, covering developments in 2023, highlighted the challenges faced by the Nigerian government in identifying the perpetrators and motives behind violent attacks against Christians at both federal and state levels. According to USCIRF, the government’s tolerance of criminal activity and violence by armed groups has had a negative impact on religious freedom in the country.
States such as Borno, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Adamawa, and Benue were identified as hotspots for violence against Christians in the report. For example, a Nigerian non-governmental organization, Intersociety, reported that in 2023, there were 8,222 Christian deaths across Nigeria attributed to violent insurgent groups, armed gangs, and government forces.
The USCIRF report detailed specific incidents of violence, such as the killing of 414 people in Benue state and the deaths of 450 Christians in three northeastern states within a two-month period. It also mentioned attacks in Plateau State where dozens of individuals, including Christians, were killed by violent actors.
Throughout 2023, religious freedom conditions in Nigeria were described as extremely poor due to the widespread violence impacting freedom of religion. The government’s failure to prevent attacks against faith-based organizations and worshipers, along with slow responses to information about possible attacks, drew criticism from affected communities and human rights organizations.
The report also highlighted concerns about the collaboration between violent insurgent groups like Boko Haram, Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP), and Fulani gangs with the police and army. This collaboration often resulted in attacks targeting religious leaders, further exacerbating the challenges faced by Christian communities in Nigeria.
The USCIRF’s findings underscore the urgent need for the Nigerian government to address religious violence effectively, protect vulnerable populations, and uphold religious freedom for all citizens. As the international community continues to monitor the situation, there is a growing call for accountability and swift action to prevent further atrocities against Christian worshippers in Nigeria.