By Muhammad Mamman
A United States congressional advisory panel has urged American lawmakers to intensify pressure on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to implement decisive measures aimed at ending what it described as the ongoing “Christian genocide” in parts of Nigeria.
The call was made during a briefing to the US Congress, where members of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) warned that extremist violence—particularly in the Middle Belt and northern states—continues to disproportionately target Christian communities.
USCIRF commissioners told lawmakers that, despite changes in Nigeria’s political leadership, the scale of killings, forced displacement, and destruction of farmlands has remained “deeply alarming.” They argued that the Nigerian government must adopt stronger security strategies, improve early-warning systems, and ensure accountability for perpetrators, including armed groups and terrorist networks operating with impunity.
The panel also recommended that the US government consider reinstating Nigeria on its list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) if significant progress is not made. This designation would open the door to diplomatic consequences, including targeted sanctions.
According to the commissioners, Washington should work more closely with Abuja to reform security operations, strengthen inter-faith peacebuilding efforts, and address the root causes of the violence, such as land disputes, poverty, and weak governance structures.
They stressed that the Tinubu administration must demonstrate “political will” by prosecuting offenders, compensating victims, and safeguarding vulnerable communities.
As violence continues to disrupt daily life in affected regions, the panel’s position is expected to shape upcoming congressional debates on US–Nigeria relations and foreign assistance to the West African nation.
