Lawmakers, religious leaders, U.S. State Department officials, and expert witnesses sharply disagreed on Thursday as the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa held an open hearing on President Donald Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over alleged Christian genocide.
Following the redesignation, President Trump warned that the U.S. military could enter Nigeria “guns-a-blazing to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists committing these atrocities.”
The Chris Smith–led subcommittee convened the hearing to examine the scale of religious persecution, possible sanctions, humanitarian aid, and U.S.–Nigeria cooperation to curb ongoing violence.
Two panels presented at the Rayburn House Office Building. The first featured Senior Bureau Official for African Affairs, Jonathan Pratt, and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Jacob McGee. The second included Nina Shea, Director of the Centre for Religious Freedom; Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of Makurdi Catholic Diocese; and Oge Onubogu of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
Chairman Chris Smith’s Opening Remarks
Smith stated that 89% of all Christians killed worldwide are in Nigeria, alleging that over 52,000 Christians have been slaughtered since 2009. He accused Fulani militants of widespread rape, kidnapping, and murder carried out with “total impunity.”
He criticised the previous U.S. administration for removing Nigeria from the CPC list despite repeated USCIRF recommendations. He insisted that the U.S. would “not be silent until perpetrators are brought to justice.”
State Department Raises Concerns Over Expanding Extremist Violence
Jonathan Pratt noted that extremist activities by Boko Haram, ISWAP, ISIS Sahel, Ansaru, Lakurawa, and others were spreading beyond the Northeast into Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
He stated that many attacks deliberately target Christian communities and attributed failures to a “problem of prioritisation” by Nigerian authorities.
Pratt said the U.S. administration was developing measures to compel Nigeria to better protect Christians, strengthen security, and improve religious freedom. Washington, he said, expects “concrete results on the ground.”
Congress Members Express Concerns
Rep. John James backed the CPC designation, saying Nigeria was facing “one of the gravest religious freedom crises in the world.” He cited nearly 17,000 Christian deaths since 2019 and said extremist groups attack without adequate government intervention.
James also linked religious persecution to political repression, citing the prolonged detention of Nnamdi Kanu, despite court rulings in his favour.
Pressed on allegations of extremist infiltration in the Nigerian government, Pratt responded, “I do not believe the government of Nigeria has been infiltrated by jihadists.”
Criticism of the Nigerian Government
Rep. Bill Huizenga condemned ongoing killings by what he called “radicalised Islamists” and accused both U.S. leaders and the media of downplaying the crisis. He also questioned the adequacy of humanitarian assistance to displaced communities, especially in Benue and Taraba.
Rep. Johnny Olszewski argued that Nigeria’s violence results from a “capacity problem,” not a government policy of persecution. He warned that governance failures and corruption deepen vulnerability to extremist attacks.
Warning Against Oversimplified Religious Narratives
Rep. Pramila Jayapal cautioned against framing the crisis as solely anti-Christian. She said both Christians and Muslims suffer violence, and she criticised Trump’s “guns-a-blazing” threat as illegal and dangerous.
She pressed U.S. officials on the legal basis for potential military action in Nigeria and argued for diplomatic and capacity-building approaches instead.
Bishop Anagbe’s Testimony: “Christianity Risks Elimination”
Bishop Wilfred Anagbe issued a stark warning that Christianity is at risk of extinction in parts of Nigeria’s North and Middle Belt. He described mass killings, sexual violence, and widespread displacement as deliberate attempts to destroy Christian communities.
He recounted recent attacks in his hometown and the attempted murder of a priest, lamenting the Nigerian government’s silence and failure to confront the crisis.
Anagbe urged U.S. lawmakers to enact targeted sanctions, strengthen humanitarian support, challenge discriminatory laws, and pass the Nigerian Religious Freedom and Accountability Act.
Strong Reactions to Trump’s Threat of Military Action
Rep. Sara Jacobs criticised Trump’s threat of U.S. military intervention as reckless, warning it could inflame tensions, violate international law, and harm civilians.
She stressed the need for diplomatic solutions, institutional reforms, and violence-prevention programmes.
U.S.–Nigeria Engagement Continues
Responding to lawmakers, Jonathan Pratt said Nigeria had taken the CPC designation seriously and that a senior Nigerian delegation was already in Washington for discussions.
He noted that U.S. assistance programmes in Nigeria were under review to ensure they support peace and protection of vulnerable communities.
ADEOLA KUNLE
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