A United Nations expert has warned that growing violence and widespread impunity in Nigeria are fueling perceptions among victims that they are facing persecution or even genocide.
Nazila Ghanea, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, said repeated attacks on religious leaders, places of worship and communities, combined with weak accountability and limited justice for victims, are deepening concerns across the country.
Her comments followed a two-week fact-finding visit to Nigeria, where she met more than 200 individuals in Abuja, Kano and Plateau State to assess issues related to religious freedom and security.
According to Ghanea, insecurity dominated nearly every discussion during her visit, with many Nigerians expressing concern about ongoing violence linked to insurgency, armed criminal groups and communal conflicts.
Nigeria continues to face multiple security challenges, including attacks by jihadist groups in the north, criminal banditry and clashes between farming and herding communities in parts of the country.
While some international groups have argued that Christians are being specifically targeted, researchers and security experts maintain that the situation is more complex, noting that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of violence.
Ghanea stated that when attacks repeatedly occur without justice being served, it becomes understandable that affected communities may describe their experiences as persecution or genocide.
However, she said her visit did not uncover evidence of a direct government policy aimed at destroying any religious group.
The UN official stressed that strengthening accountability, improving security responses and ensuring justice for victims will be critical to reducing tensions and protecting religious freedom across Nigeria.
