A chilling report has landed on the desk of the President, detailing a crisis unfolding in Nigeria – a nation identified as the most dangerous place in the world to be a Christian. The findings, compiled by members of the House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs, paint a stark picture of escalating violence and systematic persecution.
The urgency stems from a recent redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” a classification reserved for nations with severe religious freedom violations. This move, initially enacted during a previous administration and then reversed, was reinstated following mounting pressure from Christian activists and a growing body of evidence documenting widespread atrocities.
The report doesn’t shy away from grim statistics. Tens of thousands have perished in attacks perpetrated by Fulani militias and terrorist groups, with churches and schools deliberately targeted. Kidnappings are rampant, and archaic blasphemy laws are weaponized against Christians, creating an environment of fear and impunity.
This isn’t simply a matter of isolated incidents; the investigation reveals a pattern of deliberate persecution. Displaced communities are prevented from returning to their ancestral lands, their farms seized, and their livelihoods destroyed. The report highlights a desperate need for accountability and a fundamental shift in the Nigerian government’s approach to security.
Congressman Riley Moore, leading the investigation, emphasized the clarity of the findings. The report doesn’t just diagnose the problem; it proposes a series of concrete actions, including a new bilateral security agreement between the U.S. and Nigeria, designed to protect vulnerable communities and dismantle jihadist networks.
However, the report makes it clear that assistance is contingent upon demonstrable progress. It calls for withholding certain U.S. funds until Nigeria commits its own resources, strengthens its relationship with the United States, and takes tangible steps to end the violence. Sanctions and visa restrictions are proposed for those directly responsible for the persecution.
The recommendations extend beyond financial leverage. The report urges the repeal of Sharia and blasphemy laws, the dismantling of armed Fulani militias, and a commitment to replacing Russian military equipment with American systems. It also calls for a crackdown on terrorist financing and a strengthening of Nigeria’s financial system.
A key component of the proposed solution involves bolstering security in the Middle Belt region, prioritizing the needs of Internally Displaced Persons, and establishing robust early-warning systems. Holding officials accountable for ignoring warnings is also deemed crucial, as is the return of confiscated farmland to displaced communities.
The report doesn’t operate in a vacuum. It stresses the importance of coordinating with international partners – France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom – to exert collective pressure and provide comprehensive support. A National Intelligence Estimate on sectarian violence is also recommended, alongside a review of potential terrorist designations for Fulani militia groups.
Ultimately, the report represents a call to action, urging the swift implementation of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act of 2026. It’s a demand for proof of progress, a commitment to religious freedom, and a determination to hold perpetrators accountable for the escalating crisis in Nigeria.
