Huizenga harshly criticized the Nigerian delegation after accusing Nigerian officials of downplaying the widespread killings and justifying the mass violence. The US congressman expressed his deep frustration with what he called the Nigerian government’s dismissive attitude toward reports of targeted violence.
US lawmaker Bill Huizenga stated that key figures in the Nigerian delegation to the United States have systematically minimized the severity of the attacks, particularly those targeting Christian communities. He warned that ignoring the scale of the violence will only perpetuate the cycle of bloodshed.
Huizenga insisted that violence, not foreign pressure, is the real threat to Nigeria’s stability. He argued that the government’s reluctance to confront violent actors undermines both human rights and foreign investment.
Furthermore, he urged US policymakers to consider targeted sanctions against those members of the Nigerian government who, he said, are complicit through inaction. He rejected the possibility of military intervention, stating that economic measures would be more effective and sustainable.
He also revealed that he confronted the Nigerian Foreign Minister on the issue and left disappointed, stating that the delegation’s version “minimizes the repeated massacre” of vulnerable groups. According to Huizenga, denying the severity of the violence only emboldens the perpetrators.
For Huizenga, this is not just a diplomatic matter, but a moral imperative. He argued that global and national actors must hold the Nigerian government accountable for protecting all citizens, regardless of their religion or ethnicity.
The congressman’s statements come amid growing international scrutiny of the security situation in Nigeria. As more lawmakers echo the urgency of the crisis, pressure is mounting on Nigeria to demonstrate its willingness and ability to address the root causes of the violence.
Be the first to comment