FG Replies US Govt. After It Placed Nigeria on Religious Blacklist

FG Replies US Govt. After It Placed Nigeria on Religious Blacklist.

Federal Government of Nigeria has accused the United States government of being dishonest after it placed the country on its religious freedom blacklist.

The Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed was quoted on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Segun Adeyemi to have defamed any form of religious persecution by the government and queried the move by the American government.

He acknowledged that Nigeria is a multi-religious country where freedom of religious association is guaranteed by its constitution.

“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,” Mohammed said.

It will be recalled as earlier reported that the United States added Nigeria for the first time to a religious freedom blacklist alongside China, Iran, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Though a reason for including Nigeria was not specifically given, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo designated the most populous black nation as a “Country of Particular Concern” for religious freedom and Nigeria risks sanctions if it does not improve its record.