US Responds To Nigeria, Says It Is Concerned About What Is Happening In Nigeria

The United States has responded to the Nigerian Government's claim that it doesn't engage in religious freedom violations, stating that the US has observed a "lot of religious-tinged violence".

AllNews had reported that Nigeria had made its way into the blacklist of the United States regarding violations of religious freedom in the West African nation.

The US had stated its concerns over the increasing reports of the activities of terrorists in the country, which it says is " often the religious affiliation is used to try to recruit and inspire violent acts.”

According to the United States' ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, Samuel Brownback, the US, and the world are concerned about "what's taking place in Nigeria".

In a statement obtained by TheCable, Brownback was quoted as saying, “The secretary and really the world has great concern about what’s taking place in Nigeria at this time, and a number of terrorist groups are organizing and pushing into the country.

READ ALSO: US Blacklists Nigeria On Religious Freedom

“We’re seeing a lot of religious-tinged violence taking place in that country and indeed in West Africa.  It’s an area of growing concern about what’s happening, in particular the tension that’s taking place there between religious groups. And it’s often the religious affiliation is used to try to recruit and inspire violent acts.

"You’ve got expanded terrorist activities, you’ve got a lot of it associated around religious affiliations, and the government’s response has been minimal to not happening at all.

“A number of cases – there have not been criminal cases brought forward by the government. The terrorism continues to happen and grow, in some places unabated.”

Nigeria's information minister, Lai Mohammed, had said that Nigeria does not "engage in religious freedom violations," as it "jealously protects religious freedom".

Mohammed said, "Nigeria does not engage in religious freedom violation, neither does it have a policy of religious persecution. Victims of insecurity and terrorism in the country are adherents of Christianity, Islam, and other religions.

“Nigeria jealously protects religious freedom as enshrined in the country’s constitution and takes seriously any infringements in this regard.”