The Troubled State of Freedom in Nigeria
April 16, 2014
written by Arch Puddington
Vice President for Research
Islamist militants in Nigeria have escalated their campaign of violence against the government, educational institutions, and those they regard as nonbelievers over the last several days. On Monday, a car bomb was detonated in Abuja, the capital, killing some 75 people. On Tuesday, about 100 girls were abducted from a school in the northeastern part of the country.
Although it has been described in the Economist as “Africa’s New Number One,” Nigeria has long struggled with problems of poor governance, corruption, religious conflict, and the persecution of vulnerable groups—notably LGBTI people. The following review of basic facts and recent developments is drawn in part from the forthcoming Freedom in the World chapter on Nigeria.
Population: With over 170 million people, Nigeria is by far the largest country in Africa.
Boko Haram: The name of the radical Islamist group Boko Haram is loosely translated as “Western education is forbidden.” Its adherents oppose secular education, democratic institutions like elections, and Western-style clothing. Boko Haram is said to be one of the deadliest terrorist groups in the world, second only to the Afghan Taliban. Its fighters have murdered both Christians and Muslims and have made special targets of churches and schools. In 2014 alone, the militant group is said to be responsible for some 1,500 deaths.
http://www.freedomhouse.org/blog/troubled-state-freedom-nigeria#.U08XwVf535M
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