The United States government on Monday December 7, added Nigeria to a religious freedom blacklist.
A plus of Nigeria to the rundown unexpectedly, clears route for possible sanctions if there is no enhancement for the record.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States assigned Nigeria which is a US partner as a "Country of Particular Concern" under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 for strict opportunity, for connecting with ''systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom."
Pompeo tweeted;
"Today the U.S. designates Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, Nigeria, the DPRK, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan as countries of concern under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 for engaging systematic, ongoing, egregious religious freedom violations.
The U.S. is unwavering in its commitment to religious freedom. No country or entity should be allowed to persecute people with impunity because of their beliefs. These annual designations show that when religious freedom is attacked, we will act."
Nigeria currently joins countries like China, Iran, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on the blacklist. Different countries on the blacklist include Eritrea, Myanmar, North Korea, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
