US RELIGIOUS FREEDOM BLACKLIST: NIGERIA DENIES ENGAGING IN SYSTEMIC RELIGIOUS FREEDOM VIOLATIONS
The Nigerian government has denied US claims of engaging in systemic and egregious religious freedom violations, describing it as a case of honest disagreement between the two nations on the causes of violence in Nigeria.
Recall Eons Intelligence reported that the United States on Monday placed Nigeria on a religious freedom blacklist, paving the way for potential sanctions if the country does not improve its record.
READ ALSO: US ADDS NIGERIA TO RELIGIOUS FREEDOM BLACKLIST
However, in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed responded to the US allegations saying Nigeria jealously protects religious freedom as enshrined in the country's constitution and takes seriously any infringements in this regard.
He added that the victims of insecurity in Nigeria are from adherents of diverse religions.
''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,'' Lai Mohammed said.Other countries included in religious freedom blacklist by the US are Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, the DPRK, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
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