Over the past decade, south-east Nigeria has seen the tragic loss of more than 20,000 Christian lives, according to a report by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety). This Catholic-inspired human rights organization highlights the severe impact of violence in the region.
The report points to various jihadist factions, including Fulani bandits, Muslim vigilantes, jihadist herdsmen, Niger Delta militants, and even Nigerian military forces, as perpetrators of these atrocities. The violence has primarily affected Christian and ethnic communities, escalating under the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Emeka Umeagbalasi, Board Chair for Intersociety, mentions that approximately 9,800 deaths since June 2015 have been linked to jihadist activities. The report further alleges that 10,500 non-combatant civilians fell victim to the Nigerian Armed Forces, targeting individuals based on religion and ethnicity.
Beyond the loss of life, the report sheds light on systematic abuses in the region, affecting both Christians and traditional worshippers. These abuses include false accusations and unjust detentions.
Intersociety’s findings include a stark criticism of the governors of Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, and Imo States, accusing them of maintaining “graveyard silence” in the face of widespread violence. The organization suggests that these governors may have either tacitly allowed or actively supported actions that suppress Christian and ethnic identities.
The report notes that violence and assaults have intensified since 2020, impacting many of the 78 Local Government Areas across the four states. Traditional religious practitioners, in particular, have faced severe oppression, with the government allegedly targeting Christianity’s cultural roots in Igbo land.
Intersociety warns that jihadist activities are often underreported or intentionally concealed. The report also raises concerns about land acquisitions in the region, which are believed to be conducted by third parties on behalf of jihadist groups, potentially with governmental involvement.
“The totality of the above has endangered lives and properties and threatened their defenceless peoples’ fundamental human rights to ethnic and religious identities, including rights to be born, develop and live in a secured and protected environment,” the report states.
Intersociety urges the international community to impose travel bans on the governors of the affected states. The organization emphasizes, “We also make bold to say that those who aid, abet, promote, fund, and perpetrate international religious freedom abuses in Nigeria must no longer be given a pass—regardless of the disguises they wear.”
In a final plea, Intersociety appeals to the US government to reinstate Nigeria on its list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) and to classify Fulani jihadist herdsmen as an Entity of Particular Concern due to their ongoing attacks on Christian communities.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
