The United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa has approved a resolution recommending sanctions against Nigeria over the widespread killing of Christians and escalating religious violence.
During a congressional hearing on Wednesday, lawmakers criticized the Nigerian government for its failure to protect Christian communities from relentless attacks by terrorist groups. The resolution paves the way for the U.S. government to take punitive measures against Nigeria.
Citing a 2024 report by the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa, the subcommittee noted that Nigerians accounted for 90% of all Christians killed globally each year. According to the report, between October 2019 and September 2023, at least 55,910 people lost their lives, while 21,000 others were abducted by terrorist organizations operating across the country.
Chairman of the Subcommittee, Rep. Chris Smith, underscored the gravity of the crisis, referencing the testimony of Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Diocese of Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
“One of our distinguished witnesses today—Bishop Wilfred Anagbe—travelled a long distance to be with us, and his testimony is both compelling and disturbing,” Smith stated.
The resolution now moves forward for further legislative action, potentially leading to sanctions and diplomatic pressure on Nigeria to address religious persecution and violence.
