- The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has accused Nigerian authorities of failing to properly address religious violence and prosecute offenders.
- Its 2026 report cited repeated attacks, kidnappings, church and mosque assaults, and mass displacement across several states, while also criticizing Nigeria’s blasphemy laws and handling of religious freedom issues.
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has accused the Nigerian government of failing to effectively tackle religious violence and prosecute perpetrators responsible for repeated attacks across the country.
In its 2026 report, the commission described religious freedom conditions in Nigeria as “abysmal” throughout 2025, alleging that authorities repeatedly failed to properly investigate attacks or ensure justice for victims.
According to the report, armed groups including Boko Haram faction Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and ISSP continued targeting communities while attempting to impose extremist religious ideologies.
The report highlighted several violent incidents recorded during the year, including the burning of a church and killings in January, attacks in Kwara State in April, the killing of 15 Muslims in Sokoto State in July, and more than 60 deaths in Borno State in September.
USCIRF also alleged that insurgents seized Kirawa in October, forcing approximately 5,000 residents to flee into Cameroon.
The commission further blamed suspected Fulani militants for repeated attacks, including a June assault in Yelwata where about 200 displaced persons were reportedly killed at a Catholic mission.
It also referenced kidnappings and attacks on churches in Kaduna State and Niger State, including the abduction of more than 300 schoolchildren from a Catholic boarding school.
Additional incidents mentioned in the report included attacks on mosques and killings in Zamfara State and Katsina State.
According to USCIRF, the violence forms part of a prolonged crisis dating back to 2009, with thousands of children reportedly abducted for ransom or sexual exploitation over the years.
The commission also referenced the continued captivity of Leah Sharibu, who has remained missing since her abduction in 2018.
Beyond security concerns, the report criticized Nigeria’s blasphemy laws, claiming they have been used to imprison individuals across different religious groups.
The commission additionally raised concerns over school closures during Ramadan in some northern states and estimated that about 1.3 million people have been displaced across Nigeria’s Middle Belt due to ongoing violence.
Leave a Reply