US Officials Say Violence Against Christians in Nigeria Remains a Key Concern a Year After the Country of Particular Concern Designation
United States State Department officials say violence against Christians in Nigeria remains a key concern, a year after the United States designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern on religious freedom.
Assistant Secretary Frank Garcia told a congressional panel on Thursday that the issue is a top priority and said the violence has not stopped.
Assistant Secretary Riley Barnes said Nigeria has hired more police, deployed forest guards and increased prosecutions, but safety in the Middle Belt has not improved.
Representative Riley Moore cited a sharp increase in violence in Plateau State during the hearing.
Nigeria's next presidential and parliamentary elections are set for January 16, 2027, the country has more than 200 ethnic groups, and Information Minister Mohammed Idris did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Related: Trump Designates Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern Over Threats to Christians
Source: Reuters
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：尼日利亚首都阿布贾的联邦秘书处大楼。OtuNwachinemere 摄，维基共享资源 CC BY-SA 4.0。 / Photo: The Federal Secretariat building in Abuja, Nigeria. Photo by OtuNwachinemere, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
