The United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, has given President Donald Trump the green light to impose stringent sanctions on Nigeria in response to the widespread killing of Christians in the country.
The decision followed a congressional hearing on Wednesday, during which lawmakers condemned the Nigerian government for failing to protect Christian communities from escalating violence.
The committee also cited a 2024 report by the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa, which revealed that Nigerians accounted for 90 per cent of all Christians killed worldwide each year.
The report documented that between October 2019 and September 2023, a staggering 55,910 people were killed, while 21,000 others were abducted by terrorist groups operating in the region.
During the hearing, Committee Chairman Chris Smith, who highlighted the severity of the crisis, pointed to testimony from Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Diocese of Makurdi, Nigeria, as a viable witness.
He said: “One of our distinguished witnesses today—Bishop Wilfred Anagbe—travelled a long distance to be with us, and his testimony is both compelling and disturbing.
Militant Fulani herdsmen are terrorists. They steal and vandalise, they kill and boast about it, they kidnap and rape, and they enjoy total impunity from elected officials. None of them have been arrested or brought to justice.”
Benue citizens by armed herdsmen.
Ipusu noted that the suspected killer herdsmen wreaked havoc on Imande-Gbehuwar in Mbagena Kpaav, Dikpo and Mbasende in Tiir and Michie Council Wards of Katsina-Ala Local Government as well the attacks on several communities in Gwer West Local Government Area where many people lost their lives and properties were destroyed.
He said the reaction to the suspected armed herdsmen by angry residents of Naka led to the burning down of the local government headquarters and the residence of Ter Tyoshin, Chief Daniel Abomtse, and properties belonging to other prominent sons of the area and urged the house to summon the security heads to appear unfailingly.
Seconding the motion, Minority leader of house Rt. Hon. Michael Audu, decried the level of attacks by herdsmen and said if not properly checked, it would lead to a breakdown of law and order, food insecurity, and widespread displacement of communities.
The House also received the report of the Auditor General for Local Government on the Accounts of the 23 local governments of Benue State of Nigeria for the year ended 31st December, 2021, and the report of the Auditor General for Local Government on the Accounts of the 23 local governments of Benue State of Nigeria for the year ended 31st December, 2022, presented by Rt. Hon. Anthony Agom, Chairman House Standing Committee on Public Accounts.
The two reports were referred by the Speaker, Chief Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh, to the Rules and Business Committee.
During Plenary, the House announced Hon. Cephas Dyako as the new Minority Whip and Hon. Moses Egbodo as Deputy Minority Whip following the suspension of former Minority Whip, Hon. William Ortyom and the former Deputy Minority Whip, Hon. Blessed Onah.