US Report: Violence in Nigeria Not Solely Religious

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has released a report stating that the violence perpetrated by Fulani militants in Nigeria is not exclusively motivated by religious factors. The report, titled "Non-State Violations of Religious Freedom in Nigeria," highlights that approximately 1.3 million people have been displaced in the Middle Belt due to violent attacks.

These attacks have frequently targeted both Christian and Muslim communities, with incidents of killing, kidnapping, and assaults on religious sites. The report emphasizes that while Fulani militants often attack Christian communities, they do not spare Muslim communities either.

It notes that the violence has resulted in the highest number of deaths among religious communities in Nigeria over the past year, surpassing casualties from organized insurgent groups and criminal gangs. The USCIRF warns against oversimplifying the violence as solely religious, pointing out that economic, environmental, and criminal factors also play significant roles.

The report concludes that despite recent security interventions, violence continues to disrupt lives and livelihoods in central Nigeria.