Religious freedom violation: FG reacts to US blacklisting Nigeria

- The federal government does not agree with claims by the United States, that the country abuses religious freedom

- Speaking on behalf of the federal government, information minister Lai Mohammed rejected the country’s blacklisting

- The minister described the list as a case of disagreement between the United States and Nigeria

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The Nigerian government has reacted to the United States government blacklisting the country for religious freedom violations, The Cable reports.

Legit.ng had reported that the US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, in a tweet announced that Nigeria has been included on the list of nations abusing religious freedom.

Though the US did not state the reason for this action, Pompeo said the country joined extreme countries like China, Iran and Saudi Arabia following religious violence and lack of freedom.

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But in a swift reaction, the minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed, denied the allegation that the African nation engages in religious freedom violations.

The minister in a statement on Tuesday, December 8, described the allegation as a case of an honest disagreement between the two nations on the causes of violence in Nigeria.

He also stated that the country doesn't have a policy of religious persecution, insisting that victims of insecurity terrorism in the country are Christians, Muslims, and other religions.

Mohammed went on to note that religious freedom is protected by Nigeria jealously as it is enshrined in the country’s constitution. He explained that any infringements in this regard are taken seriously.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), a group led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, urged the federal government to henceforth stop paying lip service to security matters.

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The group lamented that nowhere in Nigeria is safe as the nation faces widespread security challenges.

The religious body noted that what Nigerians expected from the government was actions against insecurity and not a mere condemnation of attacks.

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Source: Legit.ng