US House Committee to Examine Nigeria's Protection of Christians

The US House Subcommittee on Africa will hold a hearing on Thursday to look into how the Nigerian government has protected Christians from terrorists over the past year.

The hearing will be led by the committee chairman, Chris Smith, a Republican. It will focus on terrorist activities in Benue and other areas in the Middle Belt.

Titled “One Year Later: Assessing Nigeria’s Efforts to Protect Christians and Secure the Middle Belt,” the hearing will look into religious violence and the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

This hearing comes just a week after the US midterm elections, where Republicans faced heavy losses nationwide. Mr. Smith, however, kept his seat in the House.

A statement from Mr. Smith’s office says the hearing will review the actions of radical Islamist groups like Boko Haram and armed Fulani groups against Christian communities in Nigeria.

It will also evaluate the Nigerian government’s steps to protect vulnerable groups and prosecute those responsible for violence.

“Chris Smith will chair his fourteenth congressional hearing on the persecution of Christians by radical Islamist groups in Nigeria, as well as the Nigerian government’s efforts to reduce violence and protect vulnerable communities in the Middle Belt.

“The hearing will assess the current situation of religious violence by radical Islamists like Boko Haram and Fulani terrorists against Christians in Nigeria and the government’s actions to stop the persecution and hold those responsible accountable,” the statement said.

The statement added that the committee will consider what the US government can do to make sure Nigerian officials prevent ongoing violence against Christians and non-radical Muslims by Islamist extremists.

Mr. Chris is among the lawmakers who last year highlighted claims of Christian genocide in Nigeria, especially during US President Donald Trump’s time in office.

Some US lawmakers and members of President Trump’s administration have consistently claimed there is genocide against Christians in Nigeria, despite evidence showing otherwise.

In February, Mr. Chris introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act to Congress. This act aims to place sanctions on individuals and groups suspected of committing religious violence.

It proposed sanctions on Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano, and groups like Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and the Fulani nomadic militias for their alleged connections to extremist groups.

In July, the House passed a bill to stop all foreign assistance to Nigeria until it proves it is taking effective measures to protect Christians from violence.

This bill is called the National Security Department of State and Related Programs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2027.

The proposal to cut foreign aid to Nigeria was led by Riley Moore and other Republican lawmakers. Initially, the bill aimed to restrict US assistance by 50 percent, but Republicans later pushed to stop all foreign assistance.

This means Nigeria’s access to foreign aid for the 2027 fiscal year will depend on Congress’s assessment of its actions against violent extremism.

Nigeria’s relationship with the US has improved recently, with both countries working on ways to continue dialogue and cooperation on security and trade.