A recent hearing in the U.S. House of Representatives has drawn renewed attention to the rising insecurity and deadly attacks faced by Christian communities in Nigeria. Lawmakers stressed that the Nigerian government needs to do much more to prevent violence and protect vulnerable groups across the country.
During the hearing, American legislators emphasized that protecting religious freedom is a priority and insisted that every Nigerian—regardless of faith—deserves safety and justice. They urged Nigeria to prosecute armed groups responsible for killings, kidnappings, and widespread destruction, especially in regions where Christian communities have been frequent targets.
U.S. officials highlighted troubling statistics showing that thousands of Christians have been killed in the past two years alone. They also raised concerns about whether certain state laws may contribute to unequal treatment of people from different religious backgrounds.
According to officials who spoke during the session, the scale of violence—including mass killings, displacement, and destruction of villages—points to a worsening humanitarian crisis. They stressed that lives and property must be protected across all regions of Nigeria, and that the government should act decisively to reduce insecurity.
Some experts at the hearing cautioned that Nigeria’s insecurity challenges are complex and cannot be reduced to only religious motivations. They noted that several factors—including terrorism, communal conflict, and weak local security—are intertwined in the ongoing violence.
A bishop who previously testified before the U.S. Congress painted a dire picture of the situation, saying Christian communities in northern and central Nigeria face severe threats from extremist groups. He warned that without urgent intervention, the situation could lead to even greater loss of life and displacement.
Meanwhile, U.S. Congressman Riley Moore met with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser and other senior security chiefs in Washington, D.C., where they held frank discussions about the rising violence and terrorist threats in Nigeria.
The conversations focused on terrorism, protection of vulnerable communities, and deeper cooperation between Nigeria and the United States. Congressman Moore stressed that the U.S. expects to see concrete steps from Nigeria to safeguard Christian populations and tackle terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, and armed militias operating in the North East and Middle Belt regions.
He added that both nations have an opportunity to strengthen their partnership, but such progress depends on Nigeria’s willingness to take decisive action against violence.
Nigerian officials at the meeting outlined the challenges they face—from securing remote communities to confronting heavily armed groups and coordinating with international partners. The U.S. delegation said it would continue monitoring developments as both countries work toward restoring peace and stability.