The United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa has approved sanctions against Nigeria in response to the rising violence against Christians and religious communities in the country. The decision, made during a congressional hearing on Wednesday, has brought international attention to the growing crisis in Nigeria, where attacks on Christian communities have become increasingly widespread and deadly.
The subcommittee’s approval came after lawmakers criticized the Nigerian government for failing to protect its Christian citizens from escalating violence, with many members of Congress expressing their concerns over the Nigerian government’s inability or unwillingness to address the situation effectively.
This decision opens the door for President Donald Trump to impose stringent sanctions on Nigeria, with the aim of pressuring the government to take immediate action to curb the violence that has caused immense suffering among the country’s Christian population.
Over the past few years, Nigeria has seen an alarming rise in attacks on Christian communities, particularly in the northern and middle-belt regions. These attacks have been carried out by a variety of armed groups, including terrorist organizations such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), as well as bandits and other militant groups.
The violence has led to the widespread killing of Christians, as well as the abduction of thousands. Reports indicate that Christian communities in Nigeria have been specifically targeted because of their faith, with many individuals and families forced to flee their homes in fear of their lives. These acts of violence have sparked outrage both within Nigeria and globally, as many feel the government has not done enough to protect its citizens or hold perpetrators accountable.
A report by the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa, released in 2024, highlighted the scale of the crisis. The report revealed that Nigeria accounted for a staggering 90 percent of all Christians killed worldwide each year. Between October 2019 and September 2023, over 55,000 people were killed, and another 21,000 were abducted by various terrorist and militant groups operating in the country.
The severity of the crisis has drawn widespread international condemnation, with many human rights groups calling for stronger action from the Nigerian government and the international community. However, the Nigerian government has been criticized for its lack of adequate response, and many believe that the situation is worsening without any substantial change in government policy.
During the congressional hearing on Wednesday, members of the US House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa took a strong stand against the Nigerian government’s handling of the religious violence. Committee Chairman Chris Smith, who has been outspoken on human rights issues in Africa, was particularly vocal in his condemnation of the situation.
Smith pointed to testimony from Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, the Catholic Bishop of Makurdi in Nigeria, as a key moment during the hearing. Bishop Anagbe, who traveled a long distance to attend the hearing, provided a disturbing account of the violence faced by Christian communities in his diocese and across Nigeria. His testimony painted a grim picture of the ongoing religious persecution in the country and the government’s failure to protect the victims.
“One of our distinguished witnesses today—Bishop Wilfred Anagbe—traveled a long distance to be with us, and his testimony is both compelling and disturbing,” Smith said. He added that the situation in Nigeria was not just an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern of religious violence that has been escalating for years.
Bishop Anagbe shared personal stories of attacks on Christian villages in his region, where militants have targeted worshippers, destroyed churches, and abducted innocent civilians. He also expressed frustration over the lack of support from the Nigerian government, which he said had failed to provide adequate security for Christian communities in the north and middle-belt regions.
The violence has had a devastating impact on Christian communities in Nigeria. Churches have been attacked and burned to the ground, while many Christians have been killed in their homes or while traveling to church services. The abductions have also contributed to a climate of fear and uncertainty, with many families forced to live in constant fear of being attacked or kidnapped.
In some areas, Christian communities have been displaced from their homes, as they flee to safer regions in the southern part of the country. This displacement has led to overcrowded refugee camps and strained resources in these areas, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria.
The Nigerian government has faced sharp criticism from both domestic and international sources for its inability to protect these communities. Some critics argue that the government has been slow to act or has not taken the necessary steps to address the root causes of the violence, such as the spread of radical Islam, the growth of militant groups, and the lack of effective law enforcement in certain regions of the country.
The approval of sanctions by the US House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee is seen as a significant step in holding the Nigerian government accountable for its failure to protect religious minorities. The sanctions could target key Nigerian officials, military leaders, and other individuals associated with human rights abuses, as well as entities that provide support to militant groups operating in the country.
While the sanctions are not yet in place, the move signals that the US government is serious about addressing the ongoing crisis in Nigeria and is willing to take action if the Nigerian government does not take immediate steps to protect its citizens. The sanctions could also serve as a warning to other governments in the region about the importance of upholding human rights and preventing religious violence.
For many in Nigeria’s Christian communities, the approval of sanctions is seen as a positive development, as it highlights the global community’s concern for their safety and well-being. However, it remains to be seen whether the Nigerian government will respond to the pressure from the international community and take meaningful action to address the violence.
The violence against Christians in Nigeria remains a deeply troubling issue, with no clear resolution in sight. While international pressure, including the potential sanctions from the US government, may help to bring attention to the crisis, the Nigerian government’s response will ultimately determine the future of religious freedom and security in the country.
