US Official Says Nigeria Has Not Made Enough Progress on Attacks Against Christian Communities

A US official has said Nigeria has made insufficient progress in protecting Christian communities from attacks. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia made the remarks during a congressional hearing, where lawmakers argued that Nigeria’s Country of Particular Concern designation should remain in place. Garcia said the violence had continued and that security measures were not yet having the desired impact. He also said Nigeria was taking steps, including working with the US through a joint group focused on security deployments, early-warning responses and accountability. He cited attacks in Kaduna and Plateau states and said US support included training, information-sharing and efforts to disrupt terrorist financing. Garcia also acknowledged that Nigeria’s security resources were stretched and that access to parts of the Middle Belt was limited. The Federal Government has rejected claims of a Christian genocide or targeted religious persecution. It says the violence is part of wider security problems, including banditry, terrorism and resource conflicts, which affect people of different faiths.

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