https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250315/nigeria-rejects-us-claims-of-christian-persecution-citing-complex-security-crisis-1071094420.html
Nigeria Rejects US Claims of Christian Persecution, Citing Complex Security Crisis
Nigeria Rejects US Claims of Christian Persecution, Citing Complex Security Crisis
Sputnik Africa
Nigeria was previously designated by the United States as a "country of particular concern" (CPC) in 2020 during Donald Trump's presidency but was removed from... 15.03.2025, Sputnik Africa
2025-03-15T15:53+0100
2025-03-15T15:53+0100
2025-03-17T14:54+0100
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The Nigerian government has firmly rejected allegations from the US Congress that Christians in the country are being persecuted, dismissing the claims as misleading and inaccurate. The rebuttal came after Republican Congressman Chris Smith called for Nigeria to be designated a CPC due to what he described as "seemingly endless violence against Christians."In a statement on Friday, Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the violence and insecurity plaguing the country are not motivated by religious bias.It also expressed concern over what it called "a recent wave of misinformation and misleading reports" alleging the targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria.Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, is nearly evenly split between a Muslim-majority north and a predominantly Christian south. The northeast has endured over 15 years of jihadist violence, which has claimed more than 40,000 lives and displaced two million people, affecting both Muslims and Christians.In addition, large areas of the northwest, north, and central regions have been plagued by criminal gangs, locally referred to as "bandits." These groups frequently attack villages, killing and kidnapping residents for ransom, and often ransack and burn homes without any apparent religious motive.
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Nigeria Rejects US Claims of Christian Persecution, Citing Complex Security Crisis
15:53 15.03.2025 (Updated: 14:54 17.03.2025) Muhammad Nooh Osman
Writer/Editor
Nigeria was previously designated by the United States as a "country of particular concern" (CPC) in 2020 during Donald Trump's presidency but was removed from the list by President Joe Biden in 2021. Such a designation could lead to sanctions against Nigeria if approved by the US State Department.
The Nigerian government has firmly rejected allegations from the US Congress that Christians in the country are being
persecuted, dismissing the claims as misleading and inaccurate. The rebuttal came after Republican Congressman Chris Smith called for Nigeria to be designated a CPC due to what he described as "seemingly endless violence against Christians."
In a statement on Friday, Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the violence and insecurity plaguing the country are not motivated by religious bias.
"The majority of insurgency and banditry-related incidents in the predominantly Muslim northern region of Nigeria do not specifically target followers of any faith or religion," the ministry stated.
It also expressed concern over what it called "a recent wave of misinformation and misleading reports" alleging the targeted killings of Christians in
Nigeria.
Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, is nearly evenly split between a Muslim-majority north and a predominantly Christian south. The northeast has endured over 15 years of jihadist violence, which has claimed more than 40,000 lives and
displaced two million people, affecting both Muslims and Christians.
In addition, large areas of the northwest, north, and central regions have been plagued by criminal gangs, locally referred to as "bandits." These groups frequently attack villages, killing and kidnapping residents for ransom, and often ransack and burn homes without any apparent religious motive.
