The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has again urged the State Department to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). The June 18 appeal follows a deadly June 13 attack in Yelewata, Benue, where Fulani militants killed 200 displaced Christians. USCIRF emphasized that ongoing religious violence in Nigeria remains unchecked.
Rising Violence Highlights Government Failures
USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler criticized Nigeria’s prevention efforts, noting that vulnerable religious communities remain unprotected. Commissioner Mohamed Elsanousi emphasized the importance of the U.S. funding conflict resolution and security training. The commission cited persistent attacks on both Christians and Muslims as evidence of systemic failures in Nigeria’s approach to religious freedom.
Longstanding Crisis in Nigeria’s Middle Belt
Since 2009, USCIRF has consistently pushed for Nigeria’s CPC designation due to repeated violations of religious liberty. The international advocacy group CSW reported that over 5,700 people have died in Benue since 2011, with more than 150,000 displaced. Attacks during April’s Lent and Easter period left over 240 Christians dead in Plateau and Benue, with 6,500 more displaced in June alone.
Religious Freedom Advocates Demand Global Action
Scot Bower, CEO of CSW U.K., called the Middle Belt violence an atrocity. He urged the international community to push Nigeria to revamp its military strategy and equip its forces to combat Fulani militias and other armed groups. Bower stressed the need for immediate action to address the escalating national security crisis.
Christian Deaths Reach Record Highs
Open Doors reported that Nigeria remains the deadliest country for Christians, recording 3,100 Christian deaths in 2024 alone. Genocide Watch estimates that 62,000 Christians have been killed for their faith in Nigeria since 2000. These figures underscore the urgent need for both international pressure and targeted U.S. foreign policy action.
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USCIRF Urges U.S. to Designate Nigeria as Country of Particular Concern
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