Nigeria’s history is marred by religious tensions, which provide a backdrop for the current surge of violence directed towards Christians. Various factors have contributed to escalating religious tensions in the country.
Firstly, a significant source of discord arises from the competition for influence between the two main religions – Islam and Christianity. Secondly, there’s a perception that Nigerian leaders exploit their positions to advance their own religious beliefs, often at the detriment of others. Thirdly, a culture of disregard for the sentiments of minority groups has further exacerbated these tensions.
The roots of Islam in northern Nigeria can be traced back to the 11th century, when it initially appeared in Borno. The northern region of Nigeria has a predominantly Muslim population, while the southern part is predominantly Christian. The introduction of Christianity in southern Nigeria dates back to around 1842, starting with missionary work in Yorubaland.
Christianity also played a pivotal role in the establishment of western education in the western part of Nigeria. However, this initiative faced resistance in certain areas of northern Nigeria, where western education was closely associated with Christianity.
Both Islam and Christianity have significantly impacted various aspects of culture, education, politics, and social life. Given the central role of religion in shaping identity, any perceived threat to one’s religious beliefs is interpreted as a threat to their entire existence.
Against this historical and contextual backdrop, the recent incidents targeting Christians are unsurprisingly viewed as a deliberate campaign against them.
Recent attacks on Christian communities have led the International Christian Concern to label Nigeria as the world’s most perilous country for Christians. This report highlights that Christian communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt have been enduring a two-decade-long genocide.
The frequency of attacks appears to be on the rise. For instance, a church attack in Owo, Ondo state, resulted in the death of 40 worshippers in early June. The BBC reported that by the middle of the current year, there had already been 23 attacks on church premises and individuals linked to them. This contrasts with 31 attacks in 2021 and 18 in 2020.
Some US senators have criticized the American government’s decision to remove Nigeria from the list of Countries of Particular Concern, a designation reserved for nations with significant violations of religious freedom. These senators pointed to the Owo attack as evidence of ongoing persecution against Christians. They reported that over 4,650 Nigerian Christians lost their lives due to their faith in 2021.
However, it’s important to note that claims of persecution are not limited to Christians. Other religious groups in Nigeria also raise concerns about mistreatment.
The Muslim Rights Concern, an Islamic rights organization, alleges that Muslims in Yorubaland, southwestern Nigeria, face persecution.
Practitioners of traditional African religions also complain about persecution, asserting that institutional practices favor Christianity and Islam.
Atheists and even within the Christian and Islamic faiths, there are instances of discrimination and tensions between different denominations.
Multiple factors contribute to why claims of Christian persecution receive more attention than complaints from other religious groups.
Competition between Christianity and Islam, both striving for dominance, fuels apprehension that each will encroach on the other’s space.
Open violence between Muslims and Christians in the past has led to fatalities, amplifying tensions.
The Nigerian state appears to predominantly acknowledge Islam and Christianity, despite constitutional provisions for religious freedom.
Cultural insensitivity towards minority groups is pervasive, exacerbating the feeling of minority tyranny.
Allegations of favoritism towards Muslims in political appointments have heightened the sense of exclusion among Christians.
Tensions could further escalate ahead of the upcoming elections, with choices like the presidential candidate and his running mate potentially fueling religious concerns.
Lastly, Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province’s attacks target both Christians and Muslims. When Christians are attacked, it reinforces the groups’ goal of establishing an Islamic caliphate, even though their motives might not always be purely religious.
In conclusion, Nigeria’s complex religious landscape, historical tensions, and a range of interrelated factors contribute to the intricate narrative surrounding the attacks on Christians and the broader religious tensions in the country.
