In a major development that could strain U.S.-Nigeria relations, the United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa has authorized U.S. President Donald Trump to impose severe sanctions on Nigeria over the alarming killings of Christians in the country.
During a crucial hearing on Wednesday, the committee, chaired by Congressman Chris Smith, presented shocking findings, revealing that Nigerians account for 90% of Christians killed worldwide annually. The subcommittee cited a 2024 report by the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa, which documented that 55,910 people were killed in Nigeria between October 2019 and September 2023, with 21,000 others abducted in attacks linked to terror groups.
Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Diocese of Makurdi, one of the key witnesses at the hearing, described the worsening violence, particularly the role of armed Fulani militants. He accused them of engaging in widespread killings, kidnappings, and destruction of Christian communities while enjoying impunity from the Nigerian government.
Congressman Smith did not hold back in his remarks, blaming previous U.S. President Joe Biden for removing Nigeria’s Country of Particular Concern (CPC) designation. He criticized Biden’s administration for failing to take necessary action despite recommendations from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) to redesignate Nigeria as a CPC for four consecutive years between 2021 and 2024.
The subcommittee also condemned the Nigerian government’s failure to protect Christian communities, despite the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom. It highlighted the use of Nigeria’s judicial system to persecute Christians, particularly through blasphemy laws, some of which carry the death penalty.
As Trump prepares to return to the White House, Smith urged him to take decisive action by reinstating Nigeria’s CPC status and directly engaging with President Bola Tinubu. He also warned that if the killings continue, the U.S. Congress and the Executive Branch may work together to impose tough sanctions on Nigeria.
“While I strongly believe that President Trump will again designate Nigeria a CPC and do much more to assist the persecuted church, including outreach to Nigerian President Tinubu I have reintroduced the resolution. If necessary, sanctions will be imposed to stop the ‘killing fields’ from continuing,” Smith declared.
The resolution has now set the stage for potential diplomatic tensions between Washington and Abuja. If Trump follows through with the subcommittee’s recommendations, Nigeria could face crippling economic and diplomatic sanctions, affecting trade, military cooperation, and financial aid.
With international pressure mounting, the Nigerian government will now have to address the rising concerns over religious violence or risk damaging relations with one of its key global partners.
Stay informed with the latest news from Nigeria and beyond! Join us on WhatsApp or Telegram for real-time updates. Have a report or article? Send it to report@trendingnaijanews.com. Follow us on X (Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook for more updates.