12 causes of ethnic conflict in Nigeria – #2, #6 and #8 has led to death of millions of people

8) Religious Intolerance

Religious bigotry between Christians and Moslems is one of the key causes of ethnic conflict in Nigeria. History shows that religious intolerance was the cause of the Riot that took place in Kano on May 1, 1953 which began a series of violent attacks against non-Muslims in the Country. Because of strong religious and ethnic hostility, some nationalist believe that amalgamation was a mistake and that Nigeria is a mere geographical expression. Christian ethnic groups in Southern Nigeria fear the North’s political power which they think they could use to Islamize the country. This suspicion has openly caused religious conflicts where each religious faith targets the other causing revenge killings.

In addition, due to religious differences, Boko Haram Islamist terrorist organization sprang up denouncing western education and culture, and killing and maiming Christians and Muslims alike. Within the past fifty years some radical groups such as Maitatsine, Darul Islam, and the Shiite movements have risen and caused riots leading to destruction of lives and property. However, Boko Haram which has taken mindless killings and destructions to a sickening level tops them all. Since Nigeria is a circular state, it should not have considered imposition of Islamic Sharia law on non-Muslims.