Nigeria faces pressure to act on behalf of Christians – Mission Network News

Nigeria (MNN) – With yet another mass abduction in Nigeria last week, the country’s tide of decimation continues to burden the hearts of world onlookers. Reverend Yunusa Nmadu, the CEO of Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria, recently spoke with Greg Musselman of VOM Canada on the podcast “Closer to the Fire.” They discussed whether or not the current situation – that is, attacks on Christians primarily carried out by jihadist groups like Boko Haram and secondarily by Muslim Fulani cattle herders – should be classified as genocide.  
Nmadu says from our standpoint as Christians, genocidal offenses are being committed; but regardless of how the UN or other international organizations choose to label the situation: 
“We can safely say that Christians are being killed in mass with the intention to coerce, to make Christians change their religious conduct,” he affirms. “Freedom of religion, or belief, is being hampered in many parts of Northern Nigeria.”
With land comes economic and political power, and the battle for control sweeps through a complex territory of cultural, political, and religious landscapes. 
Nmadu says he does not believe the present government is aiding the killing of Christians. But the administration’s refusal to take swift action, even in the form of strong rhetoric, reveals a trend towards political correctness. 
“In trying to be politically correct, they become complacent,” he says. “The government – not just this government, even past governments – have not done enough to protect lives of Christians in communities.”
The killings and abductions of thousands of Nigerians have been documented over the last few years. But Nmadu says small numbers aren’t even accounted for in those reports. 
“The evil is just unimaginable, and for a government to come out and deny that there is [any] such thing happening in the country shows their level of responsiveness in protecting lives and property, which is the number one duty of any government in the world,” he says. 
In particular, he believes the government of Nigeria must track down terrorists and hold them accountable to justice. He also thinks the administration needs to address the blasphemy laws being implemented in some Nigerian states by Muslims trying to enforce Sharia law. 
“When we say government is not doing enough, it is allowing the culture of impunity to prevail in the country,” he says. “People are emboldened to commit more atrocities because when one is committed, nothing is done.” 
Nmadu is hopeful that a surge of international interest will be a catalyst for change in Nigeria. 
President Trump has declared Nigeria a country of particular concern and has even threatened to send US troops to the country if measures to stop the genocide are not taken. It’s a move that Nmadu says has pricked the ears of government officials in his home country. 
“And if this is the only thing that this has done, I think it’s a welcome idea,” he says.

Above and featured photos courtesy of Unsplash
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