The USCIRF has called for the Trump administration to appoint a Special Envoy for Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin, emphasizing the urgent need to address religious freedom violations. The report identifies Nigeria as a candidate for designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and highlights numerous attacks against religious communities by militant groups. It also calls for a redesignation of Boko Haram and ISWAP as Entities of Particular Concern.
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has urged the Trump administration to appoint a Special Envoy for Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin to address ongoing violations of religious freedom. In its annual report, published in March 2025, USCIRF emphasized the need to enhance U.S. diplomatic efforts in the region and to monitor the escalating violence against religious communities.
In conjunction with this recommendation, USCIRF called for Nigeria to be added to the list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPCs), alongside Afghanistan, India, and Vietnam. The report also highlighted the failures of the Nigerian government under President Bola Tinubu to respond effectively to militant attacks justified by religious motives, perpetuated by various groups including Islamist extremists and Fulani militants.
Furthermore, USCIRF recommended that a total of 12 countries be redesignated as CPCs, which includes nations such as China, Iran, and North Korea. The Commission also proposed maintaining Algeria and Azerbaijan on the Special Watch List (SWL) while adding ten others, including Egypt and Turkey. Among the specific terrorist entities, Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) were urged to be redesignated as Entities of Particular Concern (EPCs).
The report noted existing blasphemy laws in Nigeria, which impose severe penalties for perceived insults against religions. Some individuals, like Mubarak Bala, were sentenced harshly for expressing nonconforming religious views, while indigenous religious practices faced intolerance from state authorities, leading to the destruction of cultural sites.
Conditions for religious freedom in Nigeria were described as poor, with state and federal governments often tolerating or inadequately responding to violent acts by non-state actors. Violent groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP have targeted both Christian and Muslim communities, leading to numerous incidents of religiously motivated violence throughout 2024.
Specific brutal incidents included the killing of 14 people by Boko Haram in January and the kidnapping of 160 children by al-Qaeda-affiliated Ansaru in May. These attacks illustrate a broader pattern of violence that disproportionately affects religious minority groups and disrupts food security in the region, as Fulani bandits routinely aggress against Christian farmers.
In summary, the USCIRF has persistently highlighted severe violations of religious freedom in Nigeria, stressing the role of the U.S. government to intervene decisively. Urging for a Special Envoy appointment and the designation of Nigeria as a CPC underscores the urgent need for international attention towards the plight of affected religious communities. Additionally, ongoing violence perpetrated by militant groups requires comprehensive action to ensure the safety and rights of vulnerable populations.
Original Source: saharareporters.com
