Ignoring minorities is our original sin': the complex roots of Nigeria's security crisis

"Escalating violence a member of the security forces takes photos of St Mary's Private Catholic School signage. Photograph: Afolabi Sotunde/EPA On Friday, more than 300 schoolchildren were kidnapped from a Catholic school in the country's north-central Niger State. That was just the latest example of escalating violence, as the country has been plagued by crises including the killings of hundreds in Benue State and a recent live-streamed terrorist attack on worshippers at a church in Kwara State."

"Earlier this month, Donald Trump threatened to invade, citing an ongoing Christian genocide, while Trinidadian hip-hop star Nicki Minaj spoke at a UN event in New York spotlighting Christian persecution. After Minaj's address at the UN, Rolling Stone published an article claiming that Nicki's claims of extremism against Nigerian Christians aren't backed by any data. The article has not been received well by many Nigerians online, who have argued that westerners are weighing in with unwarranted authority."

"To start, there is religious persecution in Nigeria, Eromo says. The dominant Islamic class, entrenched by the 18th-century Fulani scholar Usman dan Fodio, proposed a much stricter version of Islam, which is what influenced the implementation of Sharia Law in 12 states after Nigeria returned to democracy, from 1999 to the early 2000s. And so some of those who haven't adhered to that have been killed and displaced. This not only affects Christians Muslim groups are also impacted if they are not seen as Muslim proper."

A severe security crisis in Nigeria has escalated with mass kidnappings, high-casualty killings, and live-streamed terrorist attacks on worshippers. Political tensions have prompted international commentary and threats, including claims of targeted Christian persecution and disputed Western responses. Historical religious dynamics shaped by 18th-century Fulani influence contributed to stricter interpretations of Islam and the implementation of Sharia in multiple states after 1999. Non-adherence to those norms has led to killings and displacement affecting both Christians and some Muslim groups. Longstanding marginalisation of minorities and complex local dynamics underpin the ongoing violence and instability.

Read at www.theguardian.com