Hearing on Christian Persecution in Nigeria
The U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa convened a hearing on Thursday, focusing on the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. Rep. Chris Smith (R.N.J.), the subcommittee chairman, described the violence against the country’s Christian-majority communities as systematic and on the rise.
During the hearing, legislators from both sides of the aisle pressed government officials and experts for insights into the deteriorating security situation. They heard harrowing accounts of mass killings and kidnappings that have made Nigeria, as one representative put it, “the most dangerous place on earth for Christians.”
Smith, who has been vocal about the plight of Christians in Nigeria, provided a stark overview of the crisis. He referred to Nigeria as the “epicenter of the most brutal and cruel anti-Christian persecution in the world.” This marked his twelfth hearing on the issue, and he highlighted prior testimonies, including that of Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, who denounced extremists who act with impunity—killing and committing heinous acts without fear of repercussions.
Pointing to an event on June 13 in Yola, Smith noted that 278 individuals lost their lives in shocking brutality, with assailants reportedly chanting “Allah Akbar” during the slaughter. “This is not randomness; it’s deliberate persecution,” he asserted, suggesting that while there may be other influences, religion is clearly a driving force in this violence.
Smith also remarked on the dangers faced by moderate Muslims who oppose extremist violence, revealing Nigeria’s troubling “culture of denial.”
Rep. Sarah Jacobs (D-Calif.), the ranking member of the committee, acknowledged the severe insecurity in Nigeria but warned against oversimplifying the narrative. She mentioned various contributing factors which include extremist insurgency and banditry. She pointed out that violence touches many, noting that Muslim girls were among those recently abducted in Kebbi state.
“Violence impacts everyone,” Jacobs stated. She criticized President Trump’s military comments regarding Nigeria as rash and potentially counterproductive. She argued that the Trump administration had reduced programs aimed at peacebuilding that could have mitigated the current violence.
Congressman John James (R-Mich.) characterized the situation in Nigeria as one of the gravest religious freedom crises globally. He estimated that around 17,000 Christians have been killed since 2019, noting the ongoing trend of religiously motivated violence often overlooked by the Nigerian government.
Bishop Anagbe, testifying via video, recounted assaults on clergy, detailing church burnings and widespread kidnappings. He reaffirmed that Nigeria remains “the most dangerous place on earth for Christians,” claiming that more believers are killed there annually than in any other nation combined.
Two senior State Department officials, Jonathan Pratt and Jacob McGee, recognized the alarming incidents. Pratt called the insecurity in Nigeria a “very serious issue,” asserting the U.S. commitment to make the protection of Christians a priority in discussions with the Nigerian government.
McGee echoed these sentiments, highlighting the violent attacks against Christians and criticizing blasphemy laws that exist in several northern states as unacceptable in a democratic society.
As the hearing concluded, Smith emphasized that the Nigerian government holds a constitutional responsibility to safeguard its citizens. He insisted, “Even if we cannot stop the genocide, America and the world must not turn away.”
