More Than CPC Designation Needed as Religious Freedom Violations in Nigeria Escalate
Nearly three weeks since President Trump designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), there has been an escalation in violence, highlighting the critical relevance of the designation.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is calling for the U.S. government to develop a robust plan with the Nigerian government to secure freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), hold perpetrators that violate religious freedom to account, and to support efforts to rescue those held captive because of their faith.
“USCIRF strongly condemns the killings and kidnappings at the Christ Apostolic Church in Kwara State. It is imperative that the U.S. Government compel the Nigerian government to take immediate steps to prevent such attacks, allowing all Nigerians to safely attend religious services.”
The church attack came just days after bandits abducted 25 girls from a government boarding school in Kebbi State, serving as a stark reminder of the ongoing series of similar school attacks following the abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok in 2014 and 110 in Dapchi in 2018.
Violent abductions have broadly plagued religious communities across Nigeria. Recently, gunmen seized over 100 individuals, mostly women and children, from a mosque in Zamfara State in August and three Muslim individuals at a mosque in Kwara State in September. These incidents demonstrate that violence affects all faith communities throughout the country.
“Violent attacks against religious communities in Nigeria have become tragically commonplace, affecting Christians, Muslims, practitioners of traditional African religions, and others. The Nigerian government has not adequately addressed the violence, resulting in a pervasive climate of fear that deters Nigerians of all religious backgrounds from openly practicing their faith.”
USCIRF’s Engagement on Nigeria
🔍 Key Concerns
Multi-Faith Impact: Violence affects Christians, Muslims, practitioners of traditional African religions, and other faith communities
Government Inaction: Nigerian government has not adequately addressed the escalating violence
Climate of Fear: Pervasive fear deters Nigerians of all religious backgrounds from openly practicing their faith
Ongoing Pattern: Series of attacks and abductions continue despite international attention
The escalating violence underscores that the CPC designation alone is insufficient. USCIRF emphasizes the need for concrete action plans, accountability mechanisms, and sustained international pressure to protect religious freedom in Nigeria and ensure all citizens can practice their faith without fear.
About USCIRF
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief.
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