Nigerian Faith Leaders Call for National Council on Religious Freedom Amid Rising Killings

Nigerian Faith Leaders Call for National Council on Religious Freedom Amid Rising Killings
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Christian and human rights leaders have raised alarm over the growing wave of faith-based violence in Nigeria, calling on the Federal Government to establish a National Council on Freedom of Religion to address religious persecution and ensure justice for victims, AriseTV reported.

Speaking at a roundtable in Abuja organized by the Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria, participants cited data showing that at least 16,769 Christians and 6,225 Muslims were killed between 2019 and 2023 in religiously motivated attacks. Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam of the Para-Mallam Peace Foundation said the figures highlight the severity of the crisis, accusing authorities of denying or downplaying violations of religious freedom.

He urged the government to engage credible Muslim and Christian leaders to develop strategies to end the killings. Other speakers, including Dr. Sam Amadi and Rev. John Joseph Hayab, condemned the influence of religion on state policy and the culture of impunity that allows such violence to persist.

They stressed that justice must be applied equally to all victims, regardless of faith. Participants also warned that weak prosecutions, discriminatory laws, and selective enforcement continue to threaten Nigeria’s peace, unity, and constitutional values.