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The United States Congress has called for sweeping sanctions, security restructuring, and diplomatic pressure on Nigeria in a new report aimed at “Ending The Persecution of Christians in Nigeria,” urging President Donald Trump to take decisive action against what it described as escalating violence against Christian communities.
The report, backed by the House Appropriations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commended Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and called for tougher measures to hold perpetrators accountable.
Under its findings, the congressional document shared on X on Tuesday by House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority, stated that “after decades of persecution, Nigeria is the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian,” alleging that well-armed Fulani militias and terrorist groups have carried out sustained attacks resulting in the deaths of “tens of thousands of Christians, including pastors and priests.”
The report further alleged that thousands of churches and schools have been destroyed, with kidnappings and blasphemy laws in northern states used to “silence speech and dissent, target Christians and minorities, and justify so-called ‘convictions’ without due process.”
It said President Trump’s renewed CPC designation has created “a once-in-a-generation opportunity for real change to address this two-decades-long crisis.”
According to the document, the President tasked Congressman Riley Moore, Chairman Tom Cole, and the House Appropriations Committee to investigate the persecution and slaughter of Nigerian Christians.
Appropriations Vice Chair Mario Díaz-Balart reportedly hosted an investigative roundtable, while House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast and Africa Subcommittee Chairman Chris Smith led hearings to gather evidence from government and civil society witnesses.
The report said the collaboration culminated in a series of recommendations directed at both Washington and Abuja.
Among its key proposals is a bilateral agreement between the United States and Nigeria aimed at protecting “vulnerable Christian communities from violent persecution” and eliminating jihadist terror activity.
The agreement would require Nigeria to co-fund humanitarian assistance, prioritise internally displaced persons (IDPs) in predominantly Christian Middle Belt regions, deploy capable security forces to prevent attacks, and remove armed Fulani militias from confiscated farmlands.
It also urged Nigerian authorities to enable the voluntary return of displaced communities by guaranteeing security and rebuilding infrastructure.
The congressional document recommended invoking and publicly announcing CPC Presidential Directives to “name and shame perpetrators of violence.”
It further called for sanctions on “groups and individuals who participate in, or tolerate violence against Christians,” continued visa restrictions on perpetrators, and a review of whether certain Fulani militia groups should be classified as Foreign Terrorist Organisations.
The report demanded the repeal of Sharia codes and criminal anti-blasphemy laws, arguing that such laws are used to suppress minorities and dissent.
It also proposed leveraging trade measures, including reviewing beef and cattle-related exports to countries such as Ivory Coast, Ghana, South Africa, and Senegal, to pressure armed groups to disarm.
The document urged the United States to expand security cooperation with Nigeria, including diverting Russian military equipment purchases toward American defense systems.
It recommended enhanced counter-terrorism cooperation, improved Foreign Military Sales processes, and stronger intelligence assessments on sectarian violence.
The report also called for increased accountability before obligating additional U.S. funds, a Government Accountability Office (GAO) audit on the effectiveness of U.S. aid to Nigeria, and closer monitoring of Nigeria’s financial system to disrupt terrorist financing networks.
It raised concerns about Chinese illegal operations allegedly destabilising communities through protection payments to armed groups.
The US Congress urged the administration to ensure adequate staffing of diplomatic posts in Nigeria and enlist international partners including France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom in confronting the crisis.
It framed the issue as not only a humanitarian emergency but also a matter of U.S. national security, warning that sectarian violence and terrorist expansion in Nigeria threaten broader regional stability and American interests.
“The United States and Nigeria should take this moment to redefine a new strategic partnership to make America – and Nigeria – safer, stronger, and more prosperous,” the report stated.
The report, backed by the House Appropriations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committ
