Foreign News: US Congress Submits Report On Nigeria, Recommends Sanctions Over ‘Christian Persecution’
The report recommended sanctions and visa restrictions against individuals and groups responsible for or complicit in religious persecution.
The United States House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs on Monday formally submitted a report to the White House outlining their findings and recommendations on the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
The submission follows President Donald Trump’s decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.
The president subsequently directed Congressman Riley Moore and Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Tom Cole, to lead a comprehensive investigation into the reported persecution of Christian communities by terrorists, as well as the broader security challenges confronting Nigeria.
Moore confirmed the presentation of the report in a post on his X handle, @RepRileyMoore, on Monday evening.
READ ALSO: A Destabilized Nigeria Will Embolden Terrorists, Make Christians Less Safe – Riley Moore
As part of the inquiry, Moore led a bipartisan congressional delegation on a fact-finding visit to Nigeria. The delegation visited Internally Displaced Persons camps in Benue State, met with victims of terrorism, and held discussions with Nigerian government officials led by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
According to Moore, the report’s conclusions were drawn from months of investigation, including interviews with expert witnesses, a hearing and roundtable session, two on-the-ground assessments conducted by bipartisan congressional delegations to Nigeria, consultations with religious leaders, meetings with Internally Displaced Persons, and close collaboration with the Trump administration.
“Today, Congressman Riley M. Moore joined members of the House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs at the White House to formally present the comprehensive report outlining concrete actions to end the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and counter growing extremist violence in the region,” Moore said.
“This report is the result of months of investigation, including a bipartisan congressional fact-finding trip to Nigeria, hearings with expert witnesses, consultations with religious leaders, meetings with Internally Displaced Persons, and engagement with senior Nigerian government officials,” he added.
Moore stated that the US team now has what he described as a clear understanding of the security threats in Nigeria and the alleged persecution faced by Christians. He urged the Nigerian government to seize the opportunity to deepen and strengthen its relationship with the United States.
The report outlines several recommendations, including the establishment of a bilateral US–Nigeria security agreement aimed at protecting vulnerable Christian communities and dismantling jihadist networks. It also proposes withholding certain US funds until the Nigerian government demonstrates concrete action to halt violence against Christians.
Other recommendations include sanctions and visa restrictions against individuals and groups responsible for or complicit in religious persecution, as well as providing technical support to the Nigerian government to eliminate violence from armed Fulani militias.
The report further calls for the repeal of Sharia and blasphemy laws and advocates working with international partners, including France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom.
“Our brothers and sisters in Christ have suffered in silence for too long. The world is now watching, and I urge the Nigerian government to take the opportunity to deepen and strengthen its relationship with the United States.
“Doing so is in the interest of both our great nations. Together, we must address these pressing security challenges and bring an end to violence against Christians,” Moore added.
See full report below:
