Nigeria has denied the allegation, by the United States, of engaging in systematic and egregious religious freedom violations.
The United States on Monday placed the country for the first time on a religious freedom blacklist, following rising voices from Christian groups over growing insecurity.
The US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo on Tuesday designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for religious freedom.
“Today, the US designates Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, Nigeria, the DPRK, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as countries of concern under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 for engaging systematic, ongoing, egregious religious freedom violations.
“The US is unwavering in its commitment to religious freedom. No country or entity should be allowed to persecute people with impunity because of their beliefs. These annual designations show that when religious freedom is attacked, we will act.’’
“These annual designations show that when religious freedom is attacked, we will act,” Pompeo, who is an evangelical Christian, wrote on Twitter.
However, in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, described the allegation as a case of honest disagreement between the two nations on the causes of violence in Nigeria.
”Nigeria does not engage in religious freedom violation, neither does it have a policy of religious persecution. Victims of insecurity and terrorism in the country are adherents of Christianity, Islam and other religions,” the Minister said.
He said Nigeria jealously protects religious freedom as enshrined in the country’s constitution and takes seriously any infringements in this regard.
