U.S. Congress begins probe into alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria

Monday, November 17, 2025 - The United States Congress has opened a full investigation into claims of widespread attacks on Christians in Nigeria.

Lawmakers say the matter has become too serious to ignore, especially after President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern earlier last month.

The House Subcommittee on Africa will hold an open hearing on November 20, 2025, where U.S. officials, policy experts, and Nigerian religious leaders are expected to testify.

The session will take place at the Rayburn House Office Building. Representative Chris Smith will preside over the meeting.

At the hearing, senior officials from the U.S. State Department—Jonathan Pratt and Jacob McGee—will brief Congress on what Washington knows so far.

Another panel will include Nigerian clerics and international religious-freedom advocates who have been tracking events on the ground.

The inquiry will examine the extent of religious persecution in Nigeria and consider penalties against individuals found to be aiding such violence.

These measures may include sanctions, restrictions on aid, and closer monitoring of Nigeria’s handling of religious-related attacks.

Trump’s CPC designation has generated intense debate.
He claimed Christians were under severe attack and warned that the U.S. would respond if Abuja failed to act.

The move follows Trump’s October 31 designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.” The President insisted that Christians were facing “an existential threat,” warning that the U.S. would not remain silent.

“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now-disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump said.

He also directed his “Department of War” to prepare for potential action.

President Bola Tinubu dismissed Trump’s claim, saying it does not reflect Nigeria’s reality.

In a post on X, the President said Nigeria remains committed to constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.

He maintained that the country “does not encourage” persecution of any group

The controversy comes at a time when several states in the Middle Belt and North remain plagued by attacks linked to extremist groups, bandits, and armed herdsmen.

Churches have repeatedly been burned, villagers displaced, and clergy kidnapped or killed.

The CPC bill is currently before the U.S. Senate under the sponsorship of Senator Ted Cruz.

One of the key witnesses expected at the congressional hearing, Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, has repeatedly spoken about the violence.

Earlier this year, he told the UK Parliament how Christian communities in Benue had been forced from their farms and homes, with attacks carried out by both Islamist extremists and militant herdsmen.

According to him, “The militant Fulani herdsmen bear down on defenseless villagers without consequence.”

Meanwhile, U.S. Representative Riley Moore said Congress is already digging deeper into the matter.

He confirmed that multiple committees are coordinating to determine what steps Washington should take.

Riley argued that the Nigerian government had downplayed the issue, insisting there is “serious persecution happening in Nigeria.”

Moore said unverified figures suggested a killing ratio of “five to one” in favour of Christians compared to Muslims and other groups.

He argued that the U.S., as “a Christian nation,” has a responsibility to stand up for victims of religious attacks abroad.

When asked whether the U.S. should interfere in what some consider a domestic Nigerian crisis, Moore insisted that Trump has placed every option on the table, including sanctions and possible military action.

While the debate continues, Pope Leo XIV has also raised concerns over violence targeting Christians in Nigeria and other countries.

In a message on X, he lamented the continued attacks on worship centres and urged global prayers for affected families.

However, not all U.S. lawmakers believe military action is likely.

Huizenga Downplays Possibility of U.S. Military Action
Congressman Bill Huizenga told Arise TV that he doubted President Trump would launch strikes. He said Trump’s intention was to see an end to the killings, not necessarily to deploy troops.

Huizenga argued that sanctions could be more effective, saying economic pressure would disrupt terrorism financing and restrict the movement of extremist groups.