CRS History in Nigeria

In the late 1960s, Catholic Relief Services, along with other religious aid groups, helped Nigerians affected by the Biafra War. CRS organized the delivery of many tons of food to Nigerians in need.

In the years following Nigeria's return to democracy in 1999, at least 10,000 people were killed in communal violence across the country.

Since February 2004, southern Plateau state communities have experienced violent clashes. The root cause of the violence grew out of ethnic, political, commercial and religious conflicts. The crisis peaked when the town of Yelwa was repeatedly attacked by armed gangs, resulting in the destruction of the town and affecting 20,000 inhabitants.

Following the violence in Yelwa, a peaceful Muslim demonstration in Kano turned violent when vigilantes targeted Christian communities. Before the military was able to restore security, lives had been lost, 50,000 people had been displaced, and homes and household property had been destroyed and looted. These tensions have deep roots in Nigeria, stemming from longstanding ethnic and cultural clashes between Christians and Muslims.

Working with the Archdiocese of Jos, the Diocese of Kano and Caritas Nigeria, CRS responded immediately to the violence in Kano. CRS provided families with food and basic household items that were lost or destroyed during the crisis. In addition, CRS and our partners proposed longer-term development programs to help calm future cultural and ethnic clashes. This proposal included the development of an interfaith, multiagency emergency response and training program.

In recent years, a tense calm has settled over Nigeria. The hope for continued peace was reinforced in April 2007 after federal and state elections were held. Despite sporadic unrest, there was no widespread violence.

In May 2007, in the first civilian-to-civilian transfer of power since Nigeria gained independence from Britain in 1960, President Olusegun Obasanjo handed power over to Umaru Yar'Adua.