By DAYO ADESULU
The US Congress report on Nigeria Christians has ignited a fresh diplomatic storm after American lawmakers described Nigeria as “the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian” and urged former U.S. President Donald Trump to take tougher action.
In a sweeping document titled “Ending the Persecution of Christians in Nigeria,” members of Congress called for sanctions, security restructuring, expanded intelligence cooperation, and stronger diplomatic pressure on Abuja.
The report, backed by the House Appropriations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commended Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over religious freedom violations. Lawmakers described the move as a critical step toward what they called “a once-in-a-generation opportunity” to address what they allege is a two-decade crisis.
Report Claims Decades of Killings and Persecution
According to the congressional findings shared publicly by House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority members, Nigeria has witnessed decades of targeted violence against Christians.
The report alleged that armed Fulani militias and extremist groups have carried out sustained attacks resulting in the deaths of “tens of thousands” of Christians, including pastors and priests. It further claimed that thousands of churches and schools have been destroyed across multiple regions.
In addition, the document criticized blasphemy laws and Sharia codes in northern states. Lawmakers argued that these legal frameworks suppress minorities and silence dissent, often leading to convictions without due process.
While Nigerian authorities have consistently maintained that insecurity stems from terrorism and criminality rather than religious cleansing, the US Congress report on Nigeria Christians frames the crisis as a systematic pattern of persecution.
Congressional Investigation and Hearings
The document revealed that Trump tasked Riley M. Moore, alongside Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee, with investigating the alleged persecution.
Appropriations Vice Chair Mario Díaz-Balart reportedly convened an investigative roundtable. Meanwhile, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast and Africa Subcommittee Chairman Chris Smith led hearings to gather testimony from government officials and civil society representatives.
Lawmakers stated that these consultations informed a series of recommendations directed at both Washington and Abuja.
Sanctions, Security Reforms, and Trade Leverage
Among its most striking proposals, the US Congress report on Nigeria Christians called for sweeping sanctions against individuals and groups who participate in or tolerate violence against Christians.
It recommended:
Publicly invoking CPC Presidential Directives to “name and shame” perpetrators
Maintaining and expanding visa restrictions
Reviewing whether certain Fulani militia groups should be designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations
Repealing Sharia criminal codes and anti-blasphemy laws
Furthermore, the report proposed leveraging trade tools to apply pressure. Lawmakers suggested reviewing beef and cattle-related exports to West African markets such as Ivory Coast, Ghana, Senegal, and South Africa as a means of disrupting armed group financing.
Proposed Bilateral Security Agreement
The congressional document also recommended negotiating a bilateral agreement between the United States and Nigeria to protect vulnerable Christian communities and eliminate jihadist terror networks.
Under the proposal, Nigeria would:
Co-fund humanitarian assistance
Prioritize internally displaced persons (IDPs), especially in Middle Belt regions
Deploy capable security forces to prevent attacks
Remove armed militias from allegedly confiscated farmlands
The agreement would also require guarantees for the voluntary return of displaced communities and the rebuilding of destroyed infrastructure.
Intelligence, Military, and Financial Oversight
Beyond sanctions, lawmakers pushed for expanded counterterrorism cooperation. The report encouraged diverting Nigeria’s Russian military purchases toward American defense systems while improving Foreign Military Sales processes.
Additionally, it called for:
A Government Accountability Office (GAO) audit of U.S. aid effectiveness in Nigeria
Stronger oversight before releasing additional U.S. funds
Enhanced monitoring of Nigeria’s financial system to disrupt terrorist financing
The report even raised concerns about alleged illegal mining operations linked to Chinese actors, suggesting that such activities destabilize communities by providing protection payments to armed groups.
A Matter of U.S. National Security
Significantly, lawmakers framed the crisis as more than a humanitarian issue. They argued that escalating sectarian violence and terrorist expansion in Nigeria threaten regional stability and broader American interests.
The report urged Washington to fully staff diplomatic posts in Nigeria and collaborate with international partners including France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom to confront the crisis.
“The United States and Nigeria should take this moment to redefine a new strategic partnership to make America – and Nigeria – safer, stronger, and more prosperous,” the document stated.
Diplomatic Tensions Loom
The US Congress report on Nigeria Christians is likely to provoke strong reactions from Abuja. Nigerian officials have repeatedly rejected claims of genocide or state-backed religious persecution, emphasizing that security forces fight insurgents regardless of religion.
However, with Washington intensifying scrutiny and recommending sweeping measures, the coming weeks could test the strength of U.S.–Nigeria relations.
As diplomatic conversations unfold, one thing remains clear: the debate over religious violence in Nigeria has entered a more consequential phase on the global stage.
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