U.S. Moves to Sanction Nigeria Over Christian Killings-Congressman Chris Smith Clears Trump for Action

Nigeria may be facing severe sanctions from the United States after the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa cleared former President Donald Trump to take decisive action over the increasing Christian Killings in the country.

During a hearing on Wednesday, lawmakers accused the Nigerian government of failing to prevent the widespread religious violence, which they described as "religious cleansing or Christian Killings".

Congressman Chris Smith, Chairman of the Subcommittee, delivered a damning report on the deteriorating situation, particularly highlighting the role of militant Fulani herdsmen.

"One of our distinguished witnesses today-Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Diocese of Makurdi, Nigeria-traveled a long distance to be with us today and will testify. And this is from his testimony: Militant Fulani herdsmen are terrorists,ÔÇØ Smith declared.

Smith further accused the Nigerian government of turning a blind eye on Christian Killings, stating that these militants commit atrocities with complete impunity.

"They steal and vandalize, they kill and boast about it, they kidnap and rape, and they enjoy total impunity from the elected officials. None of them have been arrested and brought to justice,ÔÇØ he said.

Nigeria Tops Global Christian Persecution Report

The Subcommittee cited a 2024 report by the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa, which revealed that Nigeria accounts for 90% of all Christian Killings worldwide annually.

The report detailed that out of 55,910 people killed between October 2019 and September 2023, 21,000 were abducted in attacks linked to terrorist groups and religious extremists.

"Make no mistake, all of these attacks are based on religion, like I said, and diverting attention from it denies what we have seen with our own eyes. This 'religious cleansing' needs to stop, and the perpetrators be brought to justice,ÔÇØ the report stated.

The Subcommittee further condemned the Nigerian government for failing to protect its Christian population, despite the country's constitution guaranteeing freedom of religion. It also decried the weaponization of Nigeria's judicial system to suppress Christians.

With the House panel's resolution clearing Trump to act, Nigeria now faces the risk of economic and diplomatic sanctions from the United States.