US lawmakers, experts and religious leaders clashed sharply at a Congressional hearing on Nigeria’s redesignation as a “Country of Particular Concern,” debating allegations of Christian genocide, governance failures, extremist violence and President Donald Trump’s threat to intervene in Nigeria “guns-a-blazing.”
A heated session of the US House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa saw lawmakers, witnesses and officials deeply divided over President Donald Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” and allegations of Christian genocide, with Trump warning the US military would enter Nigeria “guns-a-blazing to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”
Committee Chairman Chris Smith said “89 per cent of all Christians martyred worldwide are in Nigeria,” while officials Jonathan Pratt and Jacob McGee acknowledged expanding extremist violence but noted the issue reflects a broader security “capacity problem.”
Representatives John James, Bill Huizenga and others argued killings of Christians are being ignored, citing “nearly 17,000 Christians” killed since 2019, while Congressman Johnny Olszewski stressed that both Christians and Muslims suffer due to state weakness.
Bishop Wilfred Anagbe warned that “Christianity risks elimination in parts of Northern and Middle-Belt Nigeria,” describing mass killings, displacement, rape and attacks on clergy, and urging sanctions and humanitarian support.
Meanwhile, Representative Pramila Jayapal cautioned against a “simplistic” religious framing and criticised Trump’s threats, calling them “reckless,” while Congresswoman Sara Jacobs warned that military action “would be illegal,” adding that Trump’s rhetoric risks escalating tensions.