The U.S. House of Representatives has called for sanctions on Nigeria due to ongoing killings and persecution of Christians by Islamist extremists. Lawmakers criticized the Biden administration for reversing Nigeria’s CPC designation and highlighted the alarming violence against the Christian population. Expert testimonies emphasized Nigeria’s status as the world’s deadliest country for Christians, pressuring President Trump to take decisive action against these injustices.
The United States House of Representatives has expressed serious concern regarding ongoing religious persecution in Nigeria, specifically urging President Donald Trump to impose sanctions on the nation due to the relentless killings of Christians. During a recent hearing, lawmakers articulated the dire situation, wherein Islamist extremists have been accountable for thousands of deaths and significant population displacements.
Legislators have criticized the Biden administration for reversing Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), a decision that came without adequate justification. Representative Chris Smith remarked on this issue, noting, “In December 2020, President Trump designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern only to be reversed without justification by Secretary Blinken in November of 2021.” He highlighted the outrage expressed by Nigerian religious leaders following this reversal.
Smith further argued that the Nigerian government has consistently failed to safeguard its Christian population despite constitutional provisions ensuring religious freedom. He emphasized this point, stating, “The Government of Nigeria has failed to make progress against religiously motivated persecution of Christians despite religious freedom being enshrined as an essential human right in its Constitution.”
The alarming statistics regarding violence were underscored by Smith, referencing Genocide Watch’s assertion that Nigeria has become “a killing field of defenceless Christians.” Reports indicate that over 52,000 Christians have been murdered by Islamist extremists since 2009, while millions of Nigerians have been displaced into camps and settlements.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee had previously passed a resolution, H. Res. 82, which called for the redesignation of Nigeria as a CPC; however, the resolution did not reach the House floor. On March 11, 2025, Smith reintroduced this resolution as H. Res. 220, expressing confidence that Trump would act to support the persecuted church. Smith stated, “Help can’t come fast enough.”
The hearing, titled “Conflict and Persecution in Nigeria: The Case for a CPC Designation,” included testimonies from various experts. Bishop Wilfred Anagbe noted a persistent Islamic agenda aiming to marginalize Christians. He highlighted the extreme violence faced by Christians, which included abductions and land seizures by Fulani herders without governmental response.
Nina Shea of the Hudson Institute underscored Nigeria’s critical status, labeling it as “the entire world’s deadliest country for Christians.” She pointed out the significant threats faced primarily from militant groups of nomadic Fulani Muslim herders.
Tony Perkins, former Chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, criticized Western media for underreporting this crisis, stating, “Many Western news outlets, taking their cues from the previous administration, continue to overlook the accelerating violence.” He reiterated that Christians in Nigeria are the primary victims of escalating violence.
As pressure from lawmakers and advocacy groups increases, the focus shifts towards whether President Trump will reinstate Nigeria’s CPC designation and implement sanctions to mitigate the ongoing persecution of Christians.
The article details the urgent appeal taken by the United States House of Representatives, urging President Trump to impose sanctions against Nigeria in response to escalating religious persecution of Christians. The robust discussion highlighted a critical need for renewed designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and raised awareness on the ongoing violence committed by Islamist extremists. The testimonies presented further signify the international demand for action in addressing these severe human rights violations.
Original Source: saharareporters.com
