USCIRF Condemns Recent Attacks on Worshippers in Nigeria

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned a recent attack by armed bandits against worshippers at a mosque in Zamfara state, Nigeria that reportedly killed at least 15 people.

“This horrific attack on worshippers is just the latest demonstration of how insecurity in Nigeria erodes freedom of religion or belief,” said USCIRF Commissioner Frederick A. Davie. “All Nigerians have the right to gather for services and worship together without fear of attack.”

Earlier this month, armed assailants kidnapped dozens of worshippers attending services at another mosque in Zamfara state. In June, an attack attributed to the local Islamic State affiliate killed at least 50 people during a Pentecost Sunday mass at a Catholic Church in Ondo State. In July, armed criminals abducted two priests who were celebrating mass in a rectory in Kaduna state and shot one of them dead.

"Attacks against worshippers in Nigeria are all too common,” said USCIRF Commissioner Frank Wolf. “The U.S. government needs to implement a higher priority and stronger efforts to promote religious freedom in Nigeria and protect congregations from attack. The U.S. Department of State needs a Special Envoy to prioritize these issues and oversee a holistic approach for U.S. policy in Nigeria.”

In its 2022 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” or CPC, and Boko Haram as an “entity of particular concern,” or EPC. Earlier today, USCIRF hosted a hearing on “Religious Freedom, Violence, and U.S. Policy in Nigeria.” USCIRF has also produced a recent analysis on Violence and Religious Freedom in Nigeria which includes policy response options for the U.S. government.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion or belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected] or Danielle Ashbahian at [email protected].