The Federal Government has reacted to United States decision to blacklist Nigeria for “engaging in systematic, ongoing, egregious religious freedom violations”.
While no reason was given for blacklisting Nigeria, Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State who announced the measure, said his country will continue to act when “religious freedom is attacked”.
Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, reacting in a statement on Tuesday, described the allegation as a case of “honest disagreement between the two nations on the causes of violence in Nigeria”.
“Nigeria does not engage in religious freedom violation, neither does it have a policy of religious persecution,” said Mohammed.
“Victims of insecurity and terrorism in the country are adherents of Christianity, Islam and other religions.”
“The minister said the country “jealously protects religious freedom as enshrined in the country’s constitution and takes seriously any infringements in this regard”.
