US Congressional Committees Submit Report on Nigerian Christian Persecution to White House
A formal report detailing findings and recommendations regarding the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria has been submitted to the White House by the United States House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs. The document, presented on Monday, outlines proposed measures to address religious violence, impose accountability, and strengthen security cooperation between the U.S. and Nigeria.
The submission follows a directive from former President Donald Trump, who redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over severe violations of religious freedom. Trump tasked Congressman Riley Moore and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole with leading a detailed congressional probe into the situation.
Moore confirmed the report’s delivery, stating it contains “concrete actions to end the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and counter growing extremist violence in the region.” The investigation, conducted over several months, included hearings with expert witnesses, consultations with religious leaders, a roundtable discussion, and two bipartisan fact-finding visits to Nigeria. During one delegation trip, members visited Internally Displaced Persons camps in Benue State, met terrorism victims, and held talks with senior Nigerian officials, including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Moore indicated the team now has a clearer understanding of the security threats and the specific challenges facing Christian communities.
The report’s key recommendations include establishing a bilateral U.S.-Nigeria security agreement focused on protecting vulnerable Christian communities and dismantling jihadist networks. It also proposes conditioning certain U.S. funds on demonstrable action by the Nigerian government to curb violence. Other measures involve imposing sanctions and visa restrictions on individuals and groups allegedly responsible for persecution, providing technical support to address violence attributed to armed Fulani militias, and advocating for the repeal of Sharia and blasphemy laws. The report further suggests coordinating with international partners such as France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom.
Moore urged the Nigerian government to seize the opportunity to strengthen its bilateral relationship with the United States, framing cooperation as mutually beneficial. He thanked President Trump for the CPC redesignation and acknowledged the contributions of House leaders, including Chairman Cole, Vice Chair Mario Diaz-Balart, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, and Congressman Chris Smith.
The submission of the report marks a significant step in U.S. legislative efforts to address religious freedom concerns in Nigeria, placing the onus on the Nigerian government to respond to the outlined recommendations.
