The US House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee approves sanctions on Nigeria over the widespread killing of Christians and religious violence

U.S. House Subcommittee Backs Sanctions on Nigeria Over Christian Killings

The United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa has authorized former President Donald Trump to impose strict sanctions on Nigeria due to the widespread killings of Christians in the country. This decision was made following a congressional hearing on Wednesday, where lawmakers criticized the Nigerian government for failing to protect Christian communities from escalating violence.

The committee referenced a 2024 report from the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa, which highlighted that Nigerians accounted for 90 percent of all Christians killed globally each year. According to the report, between October 2019 and September 2023, an alarming 55,910 people were killed, while 21,000 others were abducted by terrorist groups operating in the region.

During the hearing, Committee Chairman Chris Smith emphasized the severity of the crisis, citing testimony from Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Diocese of Makurdi, Nigeria. Smith described Anagbe’s testimony as both compelling and disturbing, underscoring the role of militant Fulani herdsmen in the ongoing attacks.

“Militant Fulani herdsmen are terrorists. They steal and vandalize, they kill and boast about it, they kidnap and rape, and they enjoy total impunity from elected officials. None of them have been arrested or brought to justice,” Smith stated.

The committee report further stressed that these attacks were religiously motivated, condemning any denial of this fact as a contradiction to overwhelming evidence. “This ‘religious cleansing’ must stop, and those responsible must be held accountable,” it added. The congressional panel strongly rebuked the Nigerian government for failing to address religiously driven violence despite constitutional protections for religious freedom.

Lawmakers also expressed concern over the weaponization of Nigeria’s judicial system to suppress Christian communities. They cited cases where blasphemy laws had been used to target religious minorities.

“The Government of Nigeria has made little progress in addressing the persecution of Christians, even though religious freedom is enshrined as a fundamental human right in its Constitution,” the subcommittee’s report stated. “While Nigeria’s legal framework ostensibly supports religious pluralism at both federal and state levels, glaring contradictions persist—particularly in laws that criminalize blasphemy, some of which even carry the death penalty.”

Smith blamed the previous administration of President Joe Biden for weakening U.S. pressure on Nigeria by removing the country from the Country of Particular Concern (CPC) list. He noted that Nigeria was originally placed on the list during Trump’s first term, but the Biden administration failed to reinstate it despite four consecutive years of recommendations from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (2021–2024).

“Under President Biden, Nigeria was removed from the CPC list, despite overwhelming evidence that religious persecution had worsened. This decision ignored the repeated recommendations of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom,” Smith said.

He urged Trump to take decisive action by restoring Nigeria’s CPC designation and engaging directly with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to ensure better protection for Christian communities.

“I fully expect President Trump to redesignate Nigeria as a CPC and to take additional steps to support the persecuted church. Last night, I reintroduced a resolution on this issue, and I hope we will have a robust discussion that leads to real action,” Smith added.

He also called on the Trump administration and the U.S. Senate to prepare for potential sanctions on Nigeria if the violence against Christians persists.

“This hearing should serve as a catalyst for action—not just within Congress but also within the Executive Branch,” he emphasized. “The new president has a responsibility to act, and I believe he will. If necessary, sanctions must be imposed. When they have been used in the past, they have brought change. Where there are no consequences, the killing fields remain.”

Benue Assembly Summons Security Officials Over Worsening Insecurity

The Benue State House of Assembly has summoned key security aides of the state governor to appear before it today, March 14, to provide updates on the ongoing killings in the state.

Those invited include Special Advisers on External Security, Col. Alexander Ashungyu (Rtd.); Internal Security, Joe Har; and the Director General of Benue Homeland Security, Air Commodore Jacob Gbamwuan (Rtd.). Also summoned are the Commandant of the Benue Civil Protection Guards, Captain Ajobi Ayuma (Rtd.), and the Special Adviser on the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Denen Aondoakaa. The latter is expected to clarify issues regarding the funding of security at the local government level.

The House strongly condemned the attacks and killings of innocent Benue citizens by armed herdsmen, as well as the violent protests in Naka, which led to the destruction of valuable properties instead of efforts being directed towards repelling the attackers.

The summons followed a motion of urgent public importance raised by Hon. Bemdoo Ipusu, representing Katsina-Ala West State Constituency. Ipusu informed the assembly of renewed attacks by armed herdsmen, particularly in Imande-Gbehuwar in Mbagena Kpaav, Dikpo, and Mbasende in Tiir and Michie Council Wards of Katsina-Ala Local Government. He also mentioned attacks on multiple communities in Gwer West Local Government Area, where many lives were lost, and properties destroyed.

Ipusu stated that the response of angry residents of Naka to these attacks led to the burning of the local government headquarters, the residence of Ter Tyoshin, Chief Daniel Abomtse, and properties belonging to other notable figures in the area. He urged the House to summon security heads to address the situation urgently.

Supporting the motion, Minority Leader Rt. Hon. Michael Audu decried the increasing frequency of attacks, warning that if not controlled, they could result in a total breakdown of law and order, widespread displacement, and food insecurity.

Additionally, the House received the Auditor General’s report on the financial accounts of the 23 local governments in Benue State for the years ending December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2022. The reports were presented by Rt. Hon. Anthony Agom, Chairman of the House Standing Committee on Public Accounts, and subsequently referred to the Rules and Business Committee for further review.

During the plenary session, the House announced the appointment of Hon. Cephas Dyako as the new Minority Whip and Hon. Moses Egbodo as the Deputy Minority Whip. This followed the suspension of the former Minority Whip, Hon. William Ortyom, and the former Deputy Minority Whip, Hon. Blessed Onah.