U.S. Rep. Chris Smith led a congressional hearing advocating for Nigeria’s redesignation as a “Country of Particular Concern” due to severe religious freedom violations. Testimonies from Bishop Anagbe, Nina Shea, and Tony Perkins highlighted the escalating violence against Christians and the urgent need for governmental accountability to address these issues.
U.S. Representative Chris Smith, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, convened a congressional hearing to address severe violations of religious freedom in Nigeria. Expert witnesses participated in this session, advocating for the redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” a status utilized by President Trump to protect persecuted Christians in the nation.
During the hearing, Bishop Wilfred Anagbe from the diocese of Makurdi, Nigeria, remarked, “Militant Fulani herdsmen are terrorists. They steal and vandalize, they kill and boast about it, they kidnap and rape, and they enjoy total impunity from the elected officials. None of them have been arrested and brought to justice.” This testimony underscored the escalating violence against Christians by militant groups.
Chairman Smith highlighted that Nigeria was classified as a Country of Particular Concern by President Trump in December 2020, but this designation was unjustifiably revoked by Secretary Blinken in November 2021. The decision sparked outrage among religious leaders in Nigeria, who fear the ongoing persecution.
Smith emphasized that the Nigerian government has not adequately addressed religious persecution despite the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom. He referenced Genocide Watch’s alarming claim that Nigeria is a “killing field of defenseless Christians.” Since 2009, more than 52,000 Christians have reportedly been killed by Islamist extremists.
The violence has displaced approximately five million Nigerians, predominantly Christians, forcing them into Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps. On February 6, 2024, Smith’s resolution, H. Res. 82, was adopted by the House Foreign Affairs Committee but did not reach the floor for a vote. Following this, he reintroduced similar legislation, H.Res. 220, on March 11, 2025, expressing urgency for action.
In her testimony, Nina Shea from the Hudson Institute characterized Nigeria as Africa’s most populous and deadliest country for Christians. Shea stated that more Christians have been killed in Nigeria than in all other countries combined. She pointed out that militant Fulani Muslim herders are the primary threat to Christians in Nigeria’s Middle Belt farming communities.
Tony Perkins, former Chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, corroborated the claims regarding the escalating violence against Christians, noting that the media often neglects the continuous bloodshed in Nigeria. He stated that Christians are increasingly becoming the targets of these brutal terrorist acts.
The congressional hearing, led by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, highlighted the critical need to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern due to the alarming religious freedom violations occurring in the nation. Expert testimonies emphasized the pervasive violence against Christians, with significant implications for millions of displaced individuals. Despite previous designations and acts of Congress, action remains urgent to address the systemic persecution and insecurity faced by religious communities in Nigeria.
Original Source: anglican.ink
