COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN: Gunmen invade Southern Kaduna, kill 7 as Trump threatens military action in Nigeria

Tinubu reaffirms FG’s commitment to religious freedom

BY GABRIEL IDIBIA (KADUNA) & ORIAKU IJELE

While Nigeria is battling to defend US’ sanction as a Country of Particular Concern, heavily armed bandits Friday invaded Damakasuwa community in Chawai chiefdom, Kauru LGA of Southern part of Kaduna State, leaving seven killed and one other person with serious gunshot injury.

This is coming a few hours after US President, Donald Trump made his declaration on Nigeria, including his Saturday threat that the Nigerian government must act fast to forestall a military action by the US Armed Forces in Nigeria.

The Daily Monitor reliably gathered that the assailants invaded the community around 8:00 p.m. on Friday, shooting sporadically and forcing residents to flee into nearby bushes for safety.

Local residents said the attack threw the entire community into panic as gunshots echoed for several minutes without any immediate response from security personnel.

The Paramount Chief of Chawai, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Yahaya Muhammad, who confirmed the incident to journalists said five persons were shot dead on the spot, while two others who were critically injured later died.

“The incident has heightened tension in the area, but normalcy has since been restored due to the presence of military personnel in the community.

“We’ve urged our people to remain calm and allow the security agencies to carry out their diligent work to ensure the perpetrators are apprehended,” he said.

A youth leader in the area, Barnabas Chawai, told journalists that the gunmen opened fire indiscriminately on villagers who were either retiring to bed or still engaged in evening activities.

“They came when people were going about their normal routines, while some had already gone to bed. Six people were killed on the spot, and one person who sustained a gunshot wound at the throat was rushed to Jos for treatment,” Chawai said.

Community members said the incident has heightened fear across neighbouring settlements in the Chawai axis of Kauru LGA, which has witnessed series of armed assaults, kidnappings, and killings in recent months.

As at press time, security agencies were yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

Residents, however, appealed to the Kaduna State Government and security operatives to intensify patrols and surveillance to prevent further attacks.

Efforts to reach the Kaduna State Police Command’s spokesperson, ASP Mansir Hassan, proved abortive as calls and text messages sent to his phone were not returned.

“Kauru Local Government, located in the Southern part of Kaduna, has remained one of the most volatile areas in the state, with recurring incidents of armed banditry and communal violence claiming dozens of lives in the past few years”, a resident noted.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s firm commitment to religious freedom, saying the country remains a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees that protect citizens of all faiths.

‎In a statement on his official X handle on Saturday, @OfficialABAT, Tinubu said his administration had, since 2023, maintained open engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders while addressing security challenges affecting citizens across regions and religions.

‎He said the depiction of Nigeria as a religiously intolerant nation does not reflect the country’s reality or the government’s ongoing efforts to safeguard freedom of religion and belief for all Nigerians.

‎“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it,” the President said.

‎Tinubu reiterated that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees protection for citizens of all faiths and emphasized that his administration will continue to uphold those principles.

‎He added that Nigeria remains open to cooperation with the United States and the international community to deepen understanding and protection of faith-based communities.

‎“Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths,” Tinubu said.

What it means to have CPC status by US

The potential designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) by the U.S. Congress, under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998, carries a complex mix of potential gains and significant losses for the West African nation. The designation is reserved for countries whose governments have “engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom,” which include “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations.”

The most immediate and tangible losses for Nigeria would be diplomatic strain and the risk of sanctions.

A CPC designation is a powerful diplomatic signal of U.S. disapproval, which could severely strain the bilateral relationship. Nigeria is a key strategic partner for the U.S. in counter-terrorism efforts in West Africa, a major economic hub, and a significant oil supplier. Such a public condemnation could lead to a diplomatic rift, pushing Nigeria to deepen ties with non-Western powers like China or Russia, thereby reducing U.S. influence in the region.

The IRFA grants the U.S. President a range of policy responses, which, while not automatic, often lean towards punitive measures. These potential penalties include:

Restrictions on Foreign Aid and Assistance: Although the IRFA allows for waivers, the designation could lead to the reduction or cancellation of non-humanitarian U.S. aid, including crucial security assistance and training. Given Nigeria’s ongoing struggles against Boko Haram, ISWAP, and pervasive banditry, the suspension of U.S. arms sales, intelligence sharing, and military cooperation could severely hamper its security efforts.

Targeted Sanctions: The designation can pave the way for targeted sanctions against Nigerian government officials deemed responsible for or tolerating the abuses. These sanctions could include travel bans, asset freezes, and restrictions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. This would be a deep embarrassment to the political class and could complicate international travel and finance for the targeted individuals.

Economic and Reputational Damage: The CPC label would significantly harm Nigeria’s international reputation. It signals an unstable and high-risk environment to the global community, potentially deterring Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Multinational companies might re-evaluate their presence, and trade agreements could face increased scrutiny or disruption. This is a profound loss for a country desperately seeking economic stabilization and foreign capital.

Nationalist Backlash: The Nigerian government and certain segments of the public may reject the designation as an unwarranted interference in its sovereignty or a “Western bias” that misrepresents a complex security crisis as solely religious persecution. This defensive nationalism could lead to a hardening of positions, making genuine, painful domestic reforms even more difficult to implement.

The Potential Gains

While largely seen as a negative move, the CPC designation could inadvertently lead to a few significant gains, primarily revolving around accountability and international focus.

Increased Accountability and Policy Shift: The most substantial gain would be the pressure it exerts on the Nigerian government to address the core issues of religious and communal violence with greater urgency and transparency. The threat of sanctions and diplomatic isolation could force a long-overdue policy shift, leading to:

Proactive Protection: Moving beyond rhetoric to actively protecting vulnerable communities, particularly in the Middle Belt, and addressing the impunity enjoyed by extremist non-state actors like militant herders and terrorist groups.

Reform of Blasphemy Laws: Increased scrutiny on the enforcement of Islamic blasphemy laws in northern states, which are cited in calls for the designation as a direct violation of religious freedom.

Elevated Global Attention: The CPC status immediately elevates Nigeria’s religious freedom and security crisis to a top-tier issue on the global human rights agenda. This enhanced scrutiny by the U.S. and other international bodies, including the UN and human rights organizations, can mobilize greater humanitarian aid for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and create a powerful spotlight that the Nigerian government cannot easily ignore.

Empowerment of Civil Society: The international pressure provides leverage for Nigerian civil society groups, journalists, and religious leaders who have long been advocating for human rights, interfaith dialogue, and justice. The designation validates their reports and helps shield them from government pressure, giving a stronger voice to those directly affected by the violence.

Distinction Between Government and Non-State Actors: The designation often targets the government for tolerating the abuses of non-state actors (like Boko Haram, ISWAP, and militant herders). This distinction can be a gain for the Nigerian people, as it separates the perpetrators from the victims of all faiths, offering a narrative that goes beyond simplistic, internal ethnic or religious conflict and points to governance failure.

The designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern by the U.S. Congress would be a high-stakes move. The losses—diplomatic damage, sanctions, and economic harm—would be immediate and severe. However, the potential gains—forced accountability, policy reform, and elevated international focus on persecution—could ultimately save lives and push the government toward more just and equitable governance. The long-term impact hinges entirely on the specific policy actions the U.S. chooses to enforce and, more critically, the depth and sincerity of Nigeria’s response to the heightened international pressure.