Nigeria: December 2009 Visit Report

Prior to the creation of Zamfara and Kebbi States, Yauri was part of Sokoto State. Although the area has been a trouble spot for sometime, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Yauri had so far managed to forestall any outbreak of major violence by undertaking proactive advocacy in response to every violation.

By and large, restrictions on religious freedom in Kebbi stem from the actions of the Emir of Yauri. Usually, problematic traditional rulers in northern Nigeria lack adequate exposure to the world outside of their domain, and are ignorant of the human rights and religious liberty provisions within the Nigerian constitution, and of Nigeria’s undertakings under international law. Worryingly, the Emir of Yauri, who gained a BSc and MSc from Kansas State University and a PhD from Edinburgh, and should therefore be cognisant of these obligations. CSW was informed that Yauri was the only emirate in Kebbi State experiencing such extreme challenges with regard to religious freedom, so the problem may indeed originate with the Emir. Nevertheless, and despite the repression and formidable opposition, church leaders and members of the Yauri Chapter of CAN are meticulously documenting abuses and taking robust action in each case, including through legal means whenever finances allow.

The majority of Yauri’s Christians are members of tribes indigenous to the area, and have converted from paganism. However, despite their indigenous status, they are regularly prevented from constructing new churches, and endure a cycle of construction and demolition. CAN Yauri challenges each demolition by gathering photographic evidence and sending detailed letters and petitions to the Kebbi State authorities.

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