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US Lawmakers Challenge Nigeria’s Stance as Washington Intensifies Probe Into Alleged Christian Killings

United States Congress

US Lawmakers Challenge Nigeria’s Stance as Washington Intensifies Probe Into Alleged Christian Killings

A major dispute over alleged mass killings of Christians in Nigeria has re-emerged in Washington, where senior members of the United States Congress have again dismissed the Federal Government’s position, insisting that recent patterns of violence reflect clear religious persecution.

At a joint briefing of the House Appropriations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, lawmakers reviewed fresh intelligence on Nigeria’s insecurity and concluded that the situation demands urgent international attention. The session formed part of a wider congressional investigation ordered by former US President Donald Trump, who directed legislators to produce a detailed report on the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria and recommend decisive US actions.

House Appropriations Vice Chair Mario Díaz-Balart, who presided over the meeting, said evidence presented so far reveals troubling gaps in Nigeria’s security response. He confirmed that the forthcoming report would guide possible diplomatic and security measures by the US government.

One of the strongest warnings came from Vicky Hartzler, Chair of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). She described religious freedom in Nigeria as “under siege,” citing incidents where radical extremists “kill entire Christian villages and burn churches,” alongside a surge in abductions and rural attacks. Hartzler stated that Christians are targeted “at a 2.2 to 1 rate” compared to Muslims, calling the violence widespread, brutal and heavily directed at Christian communities.

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While noting recent steps by the Nigerian government — including President Bola Tinubu’s withdrawal of about 100,000 police officers from VIP protection — she warned that the country was entering a “coordinated and deeply troubling period of escalated violence.” She urged tougher sanctions on Nigerian officials accused of complicity, stricter conditions on US aid to Nigeria, and a Government Accountability Office review.

Dr. Ebenezer Obadare of the Council on Foreign Relations challenged claims that extremists attack Muslims and Christians equally, calling it a “myth.” He argued that groups such as Boko Haram act solely based on religious motivation, and described the Nigerian military as “too corrupt and incompetent” to dismantle extremist networks without external pressure. He also urged the disbandment of armed groups enforcing Islamic law in rural areas and stronger responses to early warning signals.

Sean Nelson of ADF International told lawmakers that Nigeria had become “the deadliest country in the world for Christians,” with more Christian deaths recorded there than in all other countries combined. He added that extremists also target Muslims who refuse to embrace their ideology. Nelson called for strict monitoring of aid utilisation, improved transparency in ransom payments, and better coordination during mass-kidnapping rescues.

Díaz-Balart criticised the Biden administration’s 2021 removal of Nigeria from the list of “countries of particular concern”, insisting the move had “clearly deadly consequences.” He assured that Congress would intensify oversight as Trump’s mandated report nears completion.

Despite repeated inquiries, the Nigerian Embassy in Washington did not issue any response at the time of filing this report.