Committees of the United States Congress on Tuesday held a high level joint security and religious freedom briefing in Washington DC over the rising wave of kidnappings, extremist attacks and the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The session followed a directive issued by President Donald Trump on October 31, mandating the House Appropriations Committee to investigate what he described as the slaughter of Christians in Nigeria and to submit a detailed report to the White House.
The briefing, led by House Appropriations Vice Chair and National Security Subcommittee Chairman Mario Díaz Balart, brought together members of the House Appropriations and House Foreign Affairs Committees, alongside global religious freedom experts and human rights advocates. Among the participants were Representatives Robert Aderholt, Riley Moore, Brian Mast and Chris Smith; USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler; international human rights advocate Sean Nelson; and Dr Ebenezer Obadare of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Díaz Balart opened the session by declaring religious freedom both a moral obligation and an essential American interest, noting that his FY26 funding bill advances policies aimed at protecting vulnerable communities. He stressed that no one should have to fear for their safety because of how they choose to worship, adding that Congress must reinforce efforts to protect religious minorities globally as part of the America First security agenda.
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Aderholt described the situation in Nigeria as a crisis that cannot be ignored, urging stronger US intervention and insisting that Christian communities in the country face threats that require urgent action. He said, We must stand firmly with Nigerias Christian communities and all persecuted believers worldwide, and I commend our collaborative efforts to provide the President with the information needed to confront this growing tragedy.
Moore linked the briefing to the administrations recent decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, a move that puts the Nigerian government under heightened scrutiny for alleged religious freedom violations. He said, Our brothers and sisters in Christ are being persecuted and slaughtered simply for professing their faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The world will no longer turn a blind eye.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast described the ongoing violence as a targeted campaign of religious cleansing, alleging that extremist groups aim to push Christian populations out of ancestral territories in the Middle Belt. He urged Abuja to disarm these militias, return displaced families to their homes, and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Africa Subcommittee Chairman Chris Smith went further, calling Nigeria ground zero of religious violence, where Christians and moderate Muslims face the constant threat of murder, rape and torture. He faulted Nigerian authorities for complete impunity, insisting that the international community must act decisively to prevent further loss of life.
Expert witnesses painted a grim picture of the security landscape. USCIRF Chair Hartzler referenced recent mass kidnappings, including the abduction of more than 300 schoolchildren and teachers from a Catholic institution in November. She said religious freedom in Nigeria has been under siege and warned that the situation is deteriorating.
Sean Nelson of the Alliance Defending Freedom International shared accounts from Christian communities who suffered kidnappings, forced conversions, beheadings and attacks by armed groups, particularly Fulani militants. He criticised Nigerian authorities for downplaying the religious motivations behind many attacks while highlighting the existence of blasphemy laws that, in some northern states, carry the death penalty.
Dr Obadare pointed to Boko Haram as the foremost driver of instability, describing jihadist terror as the deadliest threat confronting the Nigerian state. While acknowledging recent Nigerian military operations following increased US pressure, he urged Washington to maintain leverage. He recommended that the US push Nigeria to make Sharia law unconstitutional in the 12 northern states where it operates and dismantle Hisbah religious police groups.
Committee officials said they are preparing a comprehensive report for President Trump, outlining recommendations on how Congress can support ongoing efforts to curb religious persecution in Nigeria and strengthen protective mechanisms for targeted communities.
The briefing comes amid growing US Nigeria security cooperation. President Bola Tinubu recently approved a Nigerian delegation to the new US Nigeria Joint Working Group, designed to implement security agreements from high level meetings led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. The group aims to boost counterterrorism operations, intelligence sharing, border protection and humanitarian coordination.
Meanwhile, rising insecurity is also generating intense debate in Nigeria. The House of Representatives is set to deliberate on the state of national security today. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu confirmed that lawmakers will examine security failures and the urgent need for policing reforms.
Federal lawmakers also disclosed progress on the long awaited state police bill. Mansur Soro of Bauchi revealed that the bill has already been adopted by the Joint Committees on Constitution Review and will be laid for voting this month. Once approved by the National Assembly, it will move to state assemblies for ratification.
Edo lawmaker Marcus Onobun said state police has become a national necessity, arguing that Nigerias centralised policing structure can no longer match the scale and complexity of localised insecurity. Osun lawmaker Bamidele Salam also expressed support, insisting that both states and local governments should have their own police forces.
At the Presidency, President Tinubu on Tuesday held a closed door meeting with Service Chiefs and security heads following a nationwide security emergency declaration, which includes the recruitment of 20,000 police officers, deployment of forest guards and enhanced protection for schools and worship centres.
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