Beadysblog reports that members of the U.S. Congress held a joint briefing on Tuesday with the House Foreign Affairs Committee, focusing on the growing violence and targeted persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The meeting included religious freedom experts and foreign policy specialists.

The briefing followed former President Donald Trump’s October 31 directive to the House Appropriations Committee to investigate the ongoing killings of Christians in Nigeria.

Key Lawmakers and Experts in Attendance

Several top U.S. lawmakers participated, including:

• Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart

• Rep. Robert Aderholt

• Rep. Riley Moore

• Rep. Brian Mast

• Rep. Chris Smith

Experts such as Vicky Hartzler of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, Sean Nelson of Alliance Defending Freedom International, and Dr. Ebenezer Obadare of the Council on Foreign Relations were also present.

What the Lawmakers Said

Rep. Díaz-Balart stressed that no one should live in fear because of their religion and said he remains committed to pushing policies that protect religious freedom globally.

Rep. Aderholt called the attacks on Nigerian Christians a crisis that “can’t be ignored.” He urged support for persecuted Christian communities and praised efforts to supply the President with the information needed to tackle the issue.

Rep. Riley Moore said Christians in Nigeria are being “persecuted and slaughtered” for their faith. He thanked Díaz-Balart for organising the discussion and said the world must stop ignoring the crisis.

Rep. Brian Mast rejected claims that the violence is only a “resource conflict,” calling it a targeted campaign of religious cleansing. He urged the Nigerian government to disarm militant groups and bring perpetrators to justice.

Rep. Chris Smith described the situation as one of the worst anti-Christian persecutions in the world, also noting that moderate Muslims who oppose extremist ideology are being targeted. He said the Nigerian government has failed to protect its citizens.

Expert Testimonies

Vicky Hartzler highlighted ongoing attacks, including the November 22 abduction of over 300 children and teachers from a Catholic school in Niger State, as well as recent church kidnappings and mosque attacks. She stressed that both Christians and Muslims are victims, but Christians remain the primary targets.

She also emphasised the need for the Nigerian government to improve accountability, use early-warning systems, and respond to threats before they escalate.

Sean Nelson shared firsthand accounts from Christians who faced imprisonment, kidnappings, forced marriages, and mob violence. He criticised Nigerian officials for ignoring warnings about attacks and enforcing harsh blasphemy laws in northern states.

Dr Ebenezer Obadare pointed to Boko Haram as the main driver of jihadist violence in Nigeria. He said that any solution must focus on weakening and eliminating the terror group. He also noted that Nigeria has only recently acted due to international pressure, including its designation as a “Country of Particular Concern.”

Obadare suggested that the U.S. continue pressing Nigeria, urging the government to make Sharia law unconstitutional in northern states and disband religious police groups enforcing Islamic law.