(ZENIT News / Abuja, 09.06.2024).- A chilling new report on human rights has revealed the staggering toll of violence in Nigeria, where over 55,000 people have lost their lives in a span of just four years. The report, titled “Countering the Myth of Religious Indifference in Nigerian Terrorism”, was released by the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA) and sheds light on the period from October 2019 to September 2023, encompassing both the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure and the early months of President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
Alarming Surge in Violence Across Nigeria
Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, has seen an escalating wave of violence, especially in the central-northern region and southern Kaduna, where both Christian and Muslim communities have been ravaged by armed groups. According to the report, Nigeria experienced a staggering 9,970 attacks, resulting in the deaths of 55,910 people and the kidnapping of over 21,000 individuals during this period. This translates to an average of eight attacks every day—a terrifying statistic that underscores the nation’s security crisis.
The report identifies the Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM) as one of the primary perpetrators of this violence, responsible for over 42% of civilian casualties. Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), two infamous terror groups, were linked to roughly 10% of the killings. Rural communities bore the brunt of these attacks, with 81% of civilian deaths occurring in these areas.
Christian Communities Bear the Brunt of the Crisis
One of the most striking revelations in the report is the disproportionate targeting of Christian communities. For every Muslim killed, 2.7 Christians were murdered, pointing to a significant bias in the attacks led by the Fulani militia. These communities, particularly those in farming regions, have suffered unspeakable atrocities, including massacres, abductions, and the burning of homes and property. The report also highlights the large number of kidnappings, with 11,185 Christians taken hostage compared to 7,899 Muslims.
A Nation Left Vulnerable
Frans Vierhout, a senior analyst at ORFA, issued a stark warning about the crisis, stating that millions of Nigerians have been left completely defenseless against these violent incursions. He criticized the government’s security forces, claiming they are focusing on other priorities while vulnerable communities are abandoned. Calls for protection from these regions have gone unanswered for years, leaving them at the mercy of attackers.
Emeka Umeagbalasi, Executive Director of the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, described the report as one of the most comprehensive accounts of the plight facing Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens. He issued a harsh rebuke of the government, suggesting that parts of it are under the influence of radical factions seeking to impose Islamic extremism across the country.
An Urgent Call to Action
The ORFA report calls for immediate action to address the ongoing violence, warning that without decisive intervention, the bloodshed will continue. It urges the Nigerian government to ramp up efforts to stop the killings and abductions, and appeals to the international community to stand in solidarity with the Nigerian people.
Umeagbalasi also called on Nigeria’s Catholic bishops to take a more proactive role in addressing the crisis, suggesting that the Church has the power to mobilize global attention, pressure the United Nations, and organize demonstrations on an international scale.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with a cycle of violence, the ORFA report not only highlights the profound suffering experienced by its citizens but also underscores the urgent need for a coordinated and effective response to restore security and dignity to the country’s devastated communities.
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