The United States Congress has formally submitted a detailed report to the White House, urging decisive sanctions and diplomatic actions against individuals and groups allegedly responsible for the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
The report, jointly prepared by the House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs, follows President Donald Trump’s recent decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over religious freedom violations.
The investigation was led by Congressman Riley Moore, alongside House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, after receiving a direct mandate from the US president to examine rising insecurity and reported attacks targeting Christian communities across Nigeria.
According to Moore, the findings were drawn from months of extensive inquiry, including public hearings, expert testimonies, security briefings, field assessments, and on-the-ground visits to affected communities.
A bipartisan congressional delegation travelled to Nigeria, where members visited displaced persons camps in Benue State, engaged victims of violent attacks, and held strategic meetings with senior government officials led by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Moore disclosed that the delegation gained firsthand insight into the scale of displacement, humanitarian suffering, and security breakdown affecting vulnerable populations, particularly Christians in high-risk regions.
The report outlines far-reaching recommendations, including the establishment of a bilateral security agreement between the United States and Nigeria aimed at protecting threatened Christian communities and dismantling extremist networks operating within the country.
It also proposes the suspension of certain US financial assistance until Nigerian authorities demonstrate measurable progress in halting religious violence and strengthening civilian protection mechanisms.
Among the key recommendations are targeted sanctions and visa restrictions against individuals and organisations found to be complicit in religious persecution, along with technical support to help Nigeria combat violent armed groups, including extremist militias.
The report further advocates legal reforms, including the repeal of blasphemy and Sharia-based laws that allegedly fuel discrimination, while encouraging collaboration with international partners such as the United Kingdom, France, and Hungary.
Moore stressed that the suffering endured by Christian communities has gone on for far too long and called on the Nigerian government to seize the moment to rebuild trust and deepen cooperation with the United States.
He said meaningful reforms and firm security action would not only strengthen bilateral ties but also help restore stability and peace across affected regions.
The submission of the report marks a significant diplomatic development, raising the possibility of economic, political, and travel sanctions if Nigeria fails to act decisively against religious persecution and insecurity.
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