A toll-free hotline aimed at encouraging residents to report violations of religious freedom has been launched in Taraba State. The initiative was introduced on Saturday during the screening of the movie Bridging the Abyss in Jalingo, the state capital.

The hotline – 080-0000-2233 – is part of efforts to promote peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance in the region. Habiba Gazali, Senior Project Officer for Search for Common Ground (SFCG), announced the launch, stressing the importance of using the platform to report instances where individuals are targeted due to their religious beliefs. 

Gazali reassured the public that safety measures are in place for those who report violations, noting that SFCG has trained lawyers and human rights defenders to handle such cases effectively. She added that this initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen early warning systems for religious freedom violations across Nigeria.

Highlighting the importance of religious freedom, Gazali urged all stakeholders to work diligently to protect these rights, warning that any violations would not be tolerated. 

Yakubu Musa, the Taraba State Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission, also spoke at the event. He called on law enforcement agencies to uphold Section 38 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees citizens the right to freely practice their religion. Musa emphasized the need to create an environment where everyone can worship without fear.

The event, organized by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was attended by security personnel, religious leaders, media representatives, herders, farmers, civil society organizations, and top state government officials.