Christian attacks persist in Nigeria

Washington officials affirmed Thursday that attacks on Christians in Nigeria remain relentless, marking one full year since President Donald Trump reclassified the nation as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) due to systematic religious freedom abuses.

The assessment occurred during a Thursday congressional hearing held by the US House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa to review Nigeria’s reaction to assaults on at-risk groups since the CPC status was granted.

Subcommittee chair Chris Smith called the CPC label a necessary alert for Nigeria to act quickly to shield religious populations, specifically Christians, who are being targeted by armed factions.

Smith noted the goal of this label was to force Nigeria to confront violence against believers, especially Christians, who have endured cruel attacks by ethnic Fulani militias and terrorist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP.

Riley Barnes, the assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, acknowledged that the Nigerian government had taken proactive measures to address the violence.

But he argued that these attempts have not resulted in better safety for Christians living in the Middle Belt of the nation.

“While we have seen proactive steps taken by the Nigerian government, we have not seen that equal or turn into actual on-the-ground greater safety and security for these Christians in the Middle Belt,” Barnes said.

Barnes voiced worry about the ongoing rise in killings and abductions, stating that the US will keep evaluating Nigeria’s conduct instead of depending only on official promises.

Frank Garcia, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs, said the State Department had been working intensively with Nigerian officials to address the persecution of Christian communities and ensure that those responsible for the attacks were held accountable.

Garcia acknowledged that despite the diplomatic engagements and efforts to work with the Nigerian government, the violence had persisted.

Riley Moore, a Republican House member, stated that Nigeria‘s progress is not enough to justify taking the country off the CPC list.

Moore insisted that Nigeria must keep the designation until the government shows more dedication and implements stronger steps to stop attacks on Christians.

“We cannot take this CPC designation off this country. They have not done enough,” he said.

Moore also called for close monitoring of Nigeria’s forthcoming presidential elections, stressing the need for the United States to pay particular attention to developments surrounding the polls.

In his remarks, Smith said the US Congress would consider what additional measures might be necessary to bring an end to the violence and prevent further atrocities against Christian communities in Nigeria.