US lawmakers have accused the Nigerian government of failing to do enough to address the rising insecurity and mass killings across the country.

The lawmakers spoke on Tuesday during a joint congressional briefing of the United States House Appropriations Committee on the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria, held in the aftermath of President Donald Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and his threat of military action.

“The Nigerian government has a fundamental, constitutional obligation to protect its citizens; however, the perpetrators of this persecution operate with complete impunity,” Congressman Chris Smith told the gathering.

According to the Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, the United States will hold the Nigerian government to account over the killings.

“The Nigerian government is trying to run out the clock; we cannot allow this to happen. We must act quickly and decisively to save more lives,” he said.

Rep. Brian Mast echoed similar concerns, backing President Trump’s decision to redesignate Nigeria as a CPC.
He said the US “must demand that the Nigerian government disarm these militias, return displaced families to their homes, and bring the perpetrators to justice”.

Riley Moore, Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Legislative Branch Subcommittee and a prominent advocate for religious liberty, reinforced allegations of Christian persecution.

“The world will no longer turn a blind eye to the persecution of Christians in Nigeria,” he said.

Witnesses also addressed the briefing. Ms. Vicky Hartzler, Chair of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, said that despite repeated early warnings, Nigerian authorities consistently fail to prevent attacks.

“Resources could also be invested in using early-warning systems to reduce community violence, and the US government should insist that Nigerian government officials respond when there is an early warning,” she said.

“Too many times, local villagers learn of an impending attack and reach out for protection, only to have their cries ignored to their ultimate demise. Worse yet, there are stories of law enforcement being called during an attack, and yet no help is sent. This is unacceptable!,” she added.

Douglas Dillon Senior Fellow for Africa Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, Dr. Ebenezer Obadare, said Nigeria’s insecurity can be traced primarily to jihadist terror gangs, particularly Boko Haram.

He argued that President Trump’s stance has increased pressure on the Federal Government, citing the recruitment of more security personnel and the declaration of a national security emergency as outcomes.

“Washington must keep up the pressure. The policy goal should be two-fold: first, work with the Nigerian military to neutralise Boko Haram,” he said.

“Second, the United States should put pressure on President Tinubu to (1) make Sharia law unconstitutional in the twelve northern states where it has been adopted since 2000, and (2) disband the various Hisbah groups across northern states seeking to enforce and impose Islamic law on all citizens, regardless of their religious identity,” he added.

The briefing also recalled the 20 November US congressional hearing convened to examine escalating violence in Nigeria and President Trump’s CPC declaration.

Nigeria was first designated a CPC in 2020 under President Trump, removed in 2021 under President Biden, and redesignated on 31 October over alleged religious-freedom violations. President Trump subsequently warned that the US may halt aid or take military action if the Federal Government fails to act on the alleged persecution of Christians.