CAN chairman Andimi’s beheading: coalition seeks urgent US intervention

A coalition of local and international human rights activists has written the United States Secretary of State, Mr. Mike Pompeo asking his government to intervene in the spate of killings and persecution unleashed against Christians, especially in the Northern parts of Nigeria.

The latest incidents involved “the egregious killings of… an abducted Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) leader this week” which, according to the coalition, “is just the latest from daily atrocities that have claimed over 100 lives since last month”.

The spate of killings continued despite the U.S. placement of Nigeria on the Watchlist of Persecuting Countries.

See the letter emailed to US Secretary of State Pompeo by the coalition of stakeholders across the USA, UK and Nigeria:

Secretary of State Pompeo

US State Department

Washington DC

Dear Secretary Mike Pompeo,

PUT RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION ON AGENDA WITH NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT AT BI-NATIONAL COMMISSION MEETING

Despite your placement of Nigeria on the Watchlist of Persecuting Countries, the egregious killings of Christians continued to occur throughout the Christmas. The execution of an abducted Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) leader this week is just the latest from daily atrocities that have claimed over 100 lives since last month.

Pursuant to Nigeria’s Special Watchlisting by your Department, we respectfully request the following urgent steps:

1. That the US State Department place on the agenda, religious persecution, during its upcoming Binational Commission (BNC) meetings with Nigeria in February
2. That the US create a special session so members of the IRF Roundtable can attend the FROB dialogue with the government of Nigeria at the BNC meetings.
3. That the Nigerian government be invited to the State Department IRF Office’s events during the National Prayer Breakfast which overlaps with the BNC.
4. That the US encourage Nigeria to join the International Religious Freedom Alliance to mitigate its poor ranking on religious freedom.

We wish to note that these recommendations are not usual. USCIRF has consistently called for greater bilateral engagement with Nigeria on FROB through the BNC. We also note that the BNC itself aims to include civil society organizations in its deliberations.

The United States-Nigeria Bi-National Commission (BNC) aims to “spur joint action on key issues..as a forum for focused, high-level discussions” and identified three areas of focus:

• Security Cooperation
• Economic Growth and Development
• Governance and Democracy

Freedom of Religion and Belief come under both “Security Cooperation” and “Governance and Democracy.”

We thank you for your kind attention to this urgent and pressing matter.

Sincerely

Signatories

1. C. Mba, California State
2. C. Nwaohia, California State
3. Prof P. Moses, Texas State
4. B Nwosu, Maryland State
5. G Ukwuani, Ph.D,
President,
African Christian Fellowship,
Washington DC Metro Chapter
6. Bishop N Adekolu
Charismatic Ministers Network,
Lagos, Nigeria
7. Dr. I Akintunde,
Lancaster, United Kingdom
8. Rev. Prof J Kantiok, California State
9. Dr M Atanda
The Leadership Center
Abuja, Nigeria

2019 Participants in the DOS Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom

10. Barrister Emmanuel Ogebe ,
US Nigeria Law Group, DC, USA
11. The Rev Polycarp Gbaja,
CEO Stride Leadership Foundation
& Snr Pastor, The Strong House,
Abuja, Nigeria
12. Pastor Esther Ibanga, Executive Director of Women Without Walls Initiative and Founder, Jos Christian Missions int. Jos, Nigeria
13. Rev Yunusa Nmadu, CEO, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Nigeria
14. Emmanuel Emenyonu, Ph.D
President,
Africa United for Peace,
Newhaven, Connecticut

OTHER STAKEHOLDERS

15. JD. Sanda,
Missions Supporters League(MSL) Nigeria
16. U Okpa, Maryland State
17. Hajara ESQ., Florida State
18. A Ukwuani, Maryland State
19.J Esenwone, California State
20. G Ngofa, Ph.D, Texas State
21. N Obianozie, Texas State
22. I Ajayi, Connecticut State
23. Pastor A Olagunju,
Rhode Island State
24. G Arimoro, MD,
Massachusetts State
25. L Soto, Connecticut State
26. C PullenEgharevba,
Connecticut State
27. E Adeoye,
Oklahoma State
28. J Agu,
Georgia State
29. J Elele,
Virginia State
30. E Patrick,
North Carolina State
31. Prof C Adisa
MD, National President Nigerian Graduate Fellowship
Nigeria
32. F Nyiwo, Esq,
Community Organizer,
Dayton, Ohio State
33. E Bowsan
Nok Nok Entertainment
Abuja, Nigeria
34. Dr F Yildam
Chairman,
Plateau State Youth Council
Nigeria
35. Dr J Isebor,
Association of Christian Veterinarians of Nigeria, ACVN
36. Prof A Nwanenna, President, Association of Christian Veterinarians of Nigeria, ACVN.
37. Apostle D Adesina,
Abuja, Nigeria
38. Rev. J Nwanosike
Abuja.
39. Rev Dr D Byang,
Jos, Nigeria
40. Apostle J Daniel Rims
Jos, Nigeria
41. Arch E Ibanga
Calabar, Nigeria
42. H OSENUM, ESQ
Partner
Kurtis and Rozain Solicitors Abuja, Nigeria
43. Prof. H Ezeka,
President, African Christian Fellowship, East Region, USA
44. Professor D Nkanga, Cross Rivers, Nigeria
45. Mrs T O Omage
Abuja, Nigeria
46. A Baikie,
International Organisation for Peace and Social Justice
Abuja, Nigeria
47. Ann Hagues,
New haven, Connecticut State