Alleged massacre of Christians: FG fights off moves by US Senate to sanction Nigeria

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

The Nigerian government on Wednesday faulted moves by the US Senate to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)” over alleged massacre of Christians in the country.

US Senator, Ted Cruz had introduced a bill, the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act, to the US senate to sanction Nigerian officials allegedly complicit in such acts on Sept. 9

The bill in the US Senate seek to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC),”, that is as a nation engaged in severe violations of religious freedom under IRFA and to impose sanctions on Nigerian officials under Executive Order 13818 (Global Magnitsky) and related authorities.

However, the Federal Government and Nigeria’s House of Representatives faulted the claim of genocide against Christians in Nigeria.

The House of Representatives resolution was taken after a motion of urgent national importance was moved by the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, raising alarm over the consequences of such move by US Senate.

Moving the motion, Kalu described Nigeria as country with respect for rights to worship and human dignity and protection.

He dismissed insinuations that the security lapses in the country were hinged on religious acrimony and violations.

He noted that the Nigeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion and bars adoption of a state religion.

He said that the house should therefore reject outrightly narratives that frame Nigeria’s security crisis as a singularly religious conflict or as state-sponsored persecution.

The Deputy Speaker however reaffirmed Nigeria’s constitutional protections for freedom of religion and belief.

Contributing, the Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvhere blamed the move by the US Senate on some Nigerians who have deliberately chosen to de-market the country.

Ihonvhere called on the lawmakers to ensure that such mis-informations and false narratives were dismissed by presenting facts to the US Senate.

Similarly, Rep. Wole Oke called for urgent moves to rewrite the false narratives against Nigeria and nip in the bud any move by US to sanction Nigeria.

In the same vein, Rep. Ahmed Jaha, representing Chibok Federal Constituency of Borno State, stressed the need for the lawmakers to protect the international image of Nigeria.

Jaha who commended the deputy speaker for moving the motion, called for amendments in the motion.

Adopting the motion, the Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas referred it to the committees on Foreign Affairs, and Police for further legislative actions.

False and baseless

Also, Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris described claim by that Christians were being killed in the country as being peddled by Ted Cruz as “ignorant, false and baseless.”

Idris, in a statement on Wednesday said the allegation by Cruz is not a reflection of what is happening in Nigeria as he also questioned the figures being bandied by the Senator as number of Christians killed in the country.

“This is not true. This is not the reflection of what is on the ground. I mean it’s false where you say over 20,000 churches have been burned. It’s also false if you say 52,000 (Christians killed),” Idris said.

“Where did he get those numbers from? I think this is absolutely absurd. It’s not supported by any facts whatsoever. The Nigerian government rejects that.”

The MinisteR also said contrary to the claim of the Senator, no Nigerian official or institution supports or colludes with violent extremists in any form.

“No Nigerian officials will willingly, deliberately indulge in the act of siding with violent extremists to target any particular religion in this country. This is absolutely false.”

Idris also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom and coexistence.

“Nigeria is a multi-faith country, meaning that it’s a country that has multiple religions. We have Christians, we have Muslims, we even have those who don’t believe in any of these two religions. Nigeria is a very tolerant country. The government of Nigeria is committed to ensuring that there is religious freedom in this country.”

He, however, acknowledged the challenges of violent extremism that affect all Nigerians regardless of faith

“It’s unfortunate, sadly, that some of these extremists have killed a number of Christians and a number of Muslims almost everywhere where this violent extremism has support. So, it’s not true.

“We find that to be very unfortunate. It’s despicable, it’s not right. This is absolutely false to say that there is a calculated or a deliberate attempt to kill a particular religious group; it’s not correct, and we find that really very, very unfortunate.”

Idris reassured Nigerians and the international community that the security forces remain committed to combating terrorism and banditry in all forms.

He added that Nigeria’s security forces will continue to protect every Nigerian without discrimination.