The City and State of Nigeria has been the site of alarming levels of violence against Christian worshippers, according to the 2024 annual report released by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). The report highlighted how President Bola Tinubu and state governors have been perceived as tolerating such egregious acts of violence targeting Christian communities.
In the report documenting developments throughout 2023, USCIRF expressed concern over the challenges faced by the Nigerian government at both federal and state levels in identifying the perpetrators and motives behind these violent attacks. The report emphasized the tolerance shown towards criminal activity and violence by armed groups that have significantly impacted religious communities and freedom in the country.
The USCIRF report specifically identified states like Borno, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Adamawa, and Benue as hotspots for violence against Christians. It highlighted the alarming statistics, citing a report by a Nigerian non-governmental organization, Intersociety, that recorded 8,222 Christian deaths across Nigeria in 2023, attributed to violent insurgent groups, armed gangs, and even government forces.
Throughout the year, the report pointed out various instances of violence targeting Christian communities, including attacks in Benue state where hundreds of people were killed, injured, raped, or kidnapped. The report also detailed incidents in other states where violent actors took the lives of many individuals, including religious leaders and worshippers.
Furthermore, USCIRF criticized the Nigerian government for failing to effectively prevent and respond to such attacks, leading to extremely poor conditions for religious freedom in the country. The report highlighted a lack of government accountability and a slow response to information about potential attacks, leaving faith-based organizations and worshippers vulnerable to violence.
Notably, the police and army were also under scrutiny for their inability to curb the activities of violent insurgent groups like Boko Haram, Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP), and Fulani gangs, who often collaborated with attackers targeting religious leaders. The report underscored the urgent need for stronger measures to protect religious freedom and ensure the safety of all citizens in Nigeria.