Nigeria must fight the causes of violence – Terrorism against Christians is not based on religious reasons

The Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) urges the Nigerian authorities to take more consistent measures against attacks on Christians. "As long as the causes of violence are ignored and as long as those who are responsible for terrorism are not pursued, the attacks against Christians will not come to an end," said the STP’s expert on questions regarding Africa, Ulrich Delius, in Göttingen on Tuesday. "The terrorist movement Boko Haram will be able to recruit new fighters as long as there are no credible measures against the widespread corruption and as long as there are no further development projects for the impoverished region of northern Nigeria." 

The STP welcomes the report in which the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague accuses Boko Haram of committing crimes against humanity. "A systematic prosecution of the perpetrators and their instigators is necessary to stop the terror against Christians," said Delius.

The human rights activist criticized that the number of victims of suicide bombings, arson attacks and killings estimated by the ICC – around 1200 – is set too low. Since 2009, more than 3,000 people were killed in terrorist attacks by the radical Islamic sect Boko Haram and because of counter-violence measures by security forces and paramilitary groups. More than 850 people were killed in 2012 alone. Last Sunday, 15 Christians fell victim to a car bomb attack against the Anglican Church of St Andrews in the military zone of Jaji (Kaduna State).

"The violence against Christians is not really bases on religious reasons," said Delius. "Boko Haram uses religion only as a perfunctory reason for destabilizing the country and the government and for spreading hatred between the different religions. Christians in Nigeria will not be able to practice their faith in peace as long as the Nigerian police and military forces fight Boko Haram merely by means of retaliation."