Two weeks after U.S delisting, police confirm bandits’ threat letter to churches, Christians in Zamfara to shut down

Barely two weeks after the United States delisted Nigeria from religious intolerant countries, police in Zamfara have confirmed receiving letters from bandits addressed to churches and Christians in the state promising to step up attacks on them until they shut down.

The threat letter said to have emanated from a group of bandits in the state warned of violent attacks on churches and Christians unless they shut down their practice in Zamfara.

The latest threat comes barely two weeks after the United States Government had delisted Nigeria from its religious intolerant countries of the world.

Only penultimate week, the United States removed Nigeria from its list of countries accused of stifling religious tolerance.

It would also be recalled that last Friday, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had granted the application of the Federal Government to declare the bandits operating in the North West region of the country as terrorists.

This is also as notable figures in the country like the Islamic cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi had warned the government against declaring the bandits as terrorists as he put up defense for the hoodlums who have wreaked havoc on both innocent civilians, military personnel and other security operatives in the entire region.

Spokesperson for the Zamfara Police Command, DSP Mohammed Shehu, while confirming the threat letter, said; “We are on top of the threat.”

He added, “Yes, I can confirm that it’s true, a threat letter was sent to the Christians in Zamfara State to stop worship and to close churches.

“Actually the police informed the Christian leaders about the threat.

“Accordingly the CP has invited the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state to discuss security measures around the churches.

“In that regard, a special squad has been created by the CP to patrol and protect worshippers, especially on Sundays.

“Additionally, plain-clothes personnel have been deployed for intelligence gathering and to unravel those behind the threat letter,” he said.

Last Sunday, a Christian leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, had requested prayers from Christians around the world in respect to their plight in Zamfara and other parts of northern Nigeria.

“Let’s pray for Christians in Northern Nigeria, especially in Zamfara State as we are issued a three-year ultimatum to close all churches in the state.

“Some churches were listed for attack between now and the end of December, though the churches that would be attacked according to the Fulani group that wrote the letter are located on the outskirts of the town, but we believe it’s just a trick.

“Same letter was also copied to the Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies and they all Confirmed receipt of the letter.

“The police in the state have directed Christians to intensify security in all places of worship, pastors’ houses, other Christian centres.

“Christian Association Nigeria (CAN) in Zamfara State has also directed all churches not to hold church activities beyond 5pm for the next three months,” he said.

It would be recalled that penultimate Wednesday, United States had removed Nigeria from the list of countries tagged for violation of religious freedom around the world.

Secretary of State, Mr. Antony Blinken, made the disclosure, Wednesday, in a statement, released ahead of scheduled working visit to Nigeria.

He added that the American government had blacklisted Russia, China and eight others as Countries of “Particular Concern for having engaged in or tolerated ‘systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.”

“The United States will not waiver in its commitment to advocate for freedom of religion or belief for all and in every country. In far too many places around the world, we continue to see governments harass, arrest, threaten, jail, and kill individuals simply for seeking to live their lives in accordance with their beliefs.

“This Administration is committed to supporting every individual’s right to freedom of religion or belief, including by confronting and combating violators and abusers of this human right.

“Each year the Secretary of State has the responsibility to identify governments and non-state actors, who, because of their religious freedom violations, merit designation under the International Religious Freedom Act.

“I am designating Burma, the People’s Republic of China, Eritrea, Iran, the DPRK, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as Countries of Particular Concern for having engaged in or tolerated “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.

“I am also placing Algeria, Comoros, Cuba, and Nicaragua on a Special Watch List for governments that have engaged in or tolerated “severe violations of religious freedom.” “Finally, I am designating al-Shabab, Boko Haram, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Houthis, ISIS, ISIS-Greater Sahara, ISIS-West Africa, Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin, and the Taliban as Entities of Particular Concern,” Blinken said in the statement.

In December 2020, the US had listed Nigeria among countries blacklisted for violating religious freedom.