US presses Nigeria to do more to protect Christians
The United States has told Nigeria it must do more to protect Christians as senior officials from both countries meet in Abuja for high level security talks. The comments follow the reported mass kidnapping of worshippers from several churches in Kaduna State, an incident that has triggered local and international concern. Allison Hooker, US under secretary of state for political affairs and head of the American delegation, said Nigeria’s government must guarantee that Christians can practise their faith freely and safely. She directly referenced the alleged abduction of more than 170 people from churches in Kajuru Local Government Area. Hooker’s remarks reflect the priority US President Donald Trump has placed on what he calls “genocide” and “persecution” of Christians in Nigeria. Washington’s framing has been rejected by the Nigerian government and many analysts, who note that both Muslims and Christians […]