BREAKING: U.S. Congress Labels Nigeria ‘World’s Deadliest Place for Christians,’ Seeks Sanctions

U.S. Congress Presses Sanctions as Report Describes Nigeria as ‘Deadliest for Christians

The United States Congress has described Nigeria as the “deadliest place in the world to be a Christian,” urging sweeping sanctions, security restructuring, and sustained diplomatic pressure over escalating violence targeting Christian communities.

The position was outlined in a congressional report titled “Ending the Persecution of Christians in Nigeria,” circulated by members of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority.

 

Ejes Gist News reports that the document calls on the U.S. administration to take decisive measures, including expanded sanctions and enhanced security engagement with Nigerian authorities.

What the Congressional Report Says

According to the report, decades of violence have resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Christians, including clergy, particularly in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.

Lawmakers alleged that well-armed Fulani militia factions and designated terrorist organisations have carried out sustained attacks on predominantly Christian communities. The report further claimed that thousands of churches and schools have been destroyed, while kidnappings and prosecutions under blasphemy laws in certain northern states have been used to suppress religious minorities.

 

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The document argued that some prosecutions occurred without due process and described the situation as a prolonged crisis spanning more than two decades.

Country of Particular Concern (CPC) Redesignation

The report commended the redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), describing it as a critical diplomatic tool to hold perpetrators accountable.

Under U.S. law, CPC designation applies to countries deemed to have engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom. Lawmakers characterised the move as a strategic opportunity to recalibrate U.S.–Nigeria relations around religious freedom protections and counter-terrorism priorities.

Key Recommendations

The congressional report outlined several policy proposals aimed at addressing insecurity and religious violence:

• Negotiating a bilateral agreement between the United States and Nigeria focused on protecting vulnerable Christian communities.
• Publicly invoking CPC Presidential Directives to identify and sanction alleged perpetrators.
• Imposing targeted sanctions and visa restrictions on individuals or groups linked to violence.
• Reviewing whether certain armed Fulani militia factions should be designated as Foreign Terrorist Organisations.
• Repealing Sharia-based criminal codes and anti-blasphemy laws considered discriminatory.
• Expanding U.S.–Nigeria security cooperation, including intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism coordination.
• Conducting a Government Accountability Office (GAO) audit of U.S. assistance to Nigeria.
• Monitoring Nigeria’s financial system to disrupt alleged terrorist financing networks.

The report also called for increased humanitarian assistance for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and urged Nigerian authorities to deploy capable security forces to prevent attacks and reclaim farmlands allegedly seized by armed groups.

Broader Security and Diplomatic Concerns

In addition to religious persecution claims, lawmakers raised concerns about alleged illegal mining operations involving foreign actors, including Chinese entities. The report suggested that such activities could be destabilising affected communities through protection payments to armed groups.

Congress further encouraged stronger diplomatic engagement with Nigeria and collaboration with international partners, including France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom, to address the security crisis.

Framing the issue as both a humanitarian emergency and a national security concern, the report warned that persistent sectarian violence and terrorist expansion in Nigeria could undermine regional stability and affect U.S. strategic interests in West Africa.

As of press time, Nigerian authorities had not issued an official response to the congressional findings. Security experts note that Nigeria continues to face multiple security challenges, including insurgency, banditry, and communal conflicts, with impacts that extend beyond religious lines.

The congressional recommendations are expected to shape ongoing U.S. foreign policy discussions regarding Nigeria’s security architecture and bilateral cooperation framework.