US Congress Probes Religious Persecution in Nigeria
US lawmakers are investigating ongoing religious violence in Nigeria as advocates deliver a million-signature petition to the UK government demanding international protection for Christians.
Members of the U.S. Congress are probing the ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria a year after Donald Trump designated the country a country of particular concern. During recent hearings, Representative Chris Smith testified that Christian communities continue to face killings and the destruction of their livelihoods, while Representative Sara Jacobs criticized the administration for cutting hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign aid to the region.
Human rights groups report that over 6,000 Christians have been killed or abducted in 2026. The violence is attributed to a combination of Fulani militia attacks and the failure of the Nigerian government to protect its citizens. While the United States military has collaborated with Nigerian forces to target ISIS-backed militants—including strikes in Sokoto State on Christmas Day 2025—critics argue these actions are insufficient.
Parallel to the US probe, the charity Open Doors organized a delegation to deliver a petition signed by over one million people to Downing Street in London. The group called for justice and restoration for Christians across sub-Saharan Africa, where Open Doors reports an average of 12 Christians are killed daily for their faith. The security crisis has also impacted Muslim populations, leading to calls for broader institutional stability in Nigeria.
