Yemisi Izuora
In a bid to gain United States of America’s favour and escape being listed on its religious blacklist, the Federal Government through the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, on Tuesday, November 8, denied an allegation by the US of engaging in systematic and egregious religious freedom violations.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, Mohammed said Nigeria did not have a policy of religious persecution.
The Minister described the allegation as a case of an 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,’’ he said.
Mohammed said Nigeria jealously protects religious freedom as enshrined in the country’s constitution and takes seriously any infringements in this regard.
The U.S., reportedly on Monday placed Nigeria on a religious freedom blacklist.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern’’ for religious freedom, alongside nations that include China, Iran, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia.
Pompeo, however, did not elaborate on the reasons for including Nigeria on the list.