- US Lawmakers to Hear Testimony on Christian Persecution in Nigeria
- Analysts have noted that criminal gangs, often described as “bandits,” now operate as profit-driven organisations
- President Bola Tinubu recently approved Nigeria’s participation in the US–Nigeria Joint Working Group
The United States House Appropriations Committee will convene a joint congressional briefing on Tuesday to examine the surge of mass abductions and targeted attacks in Nigeria, particularly against Christian communities, committee officials have announced.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the session will be chaired by House Appropriations Committee Vice Chair and National Security Subcommittee Chairman, Mario Díaz-Balart, and will include members of the Foreign Affairs and Financial Services Committees. Representatives from the US Commission on International Religious Freedom and other experts are also scheduled to participate.
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US Congressman Riley Moore said the briefing aims “to spotlight the escalating violence and targeted persecution of Christians in Nigeria.” Officials noted that testimony collected during the roundtable will inform a comprehensive report “directed by President Trump on the massacre of Nigerian Christians and the steps Congress can take to support the White House’s efforts to protect vulnerable faith communities worldwide.”
The meeting comes amid strengthened US–Nigeria security cooperation. President Bola Tinubu recently approved Nigeria’s participation in the US–Nigeria Joint Working Group, established to implement security agreements from high-level talks in Washington led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. The group, composed of senior ministers and security officials, is tasked with enhancing counterterrorism measures, intelligence sharing, border security, and coordination on humanitarian and civilian protection issues.
Nigeria has experienced a recent surge in mass kidnappings. Over the past fortnight alone, gunmen abducted hundreds of people across multiple states, including more than 300 students and teachers from St Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State, nine onion farmers in Borno State, and a bride with 10 bridesmaids in Sokoto State. Security reports indicate that between July 2024 and June 2025, at least 4,722 people were kidnapped in 997 incidents, resulting in at least 762 deaths, with ransom payments totalling approximately N2.57 billion.
In response to the crisis, President Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency, redeployed police personnel from VIP protection to core duties, and authorised recruitment of an additional 50,000 officers.
Analysts have noted that criminal gangs, often described as “bandits,” now operate as profit-driven organisations, with some forming alliances with jihadist groups in the northeast, complicating government responses.
US officials have cited the targeting of Christians in Nigeria and have threatened military action unless further protective measures are implemented. Nigerian authorities and independent analysts, however, have disputed claims framing the violence as solely religiously motivated, noting that insecurity affects diverse communities nationwide.
Committee officials said the briefing will provide lawmakers with critical information on the conditions facing religious minorities and help guide potential legislative and diplomatic responses to the ongoing crisis.
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