U.S. Congressional report labels Nigeria deadliest place for Christians
...recommends export ban, security equipment change
A joint recommendation released by the House Appropriations and Foreign Affairs Committees, spearheaded by Congressman Riley Moore, has labelled Nigeria as the deadliest place for Christians to live.
The committee in its recommendations to US President, Donald Trump called for a radical shift in U.S.-Nigeria relations to address what it describes as a two-decades-long crisis of religious persecution.
The report commends the recent redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and outlines an aggressive roadmap to hold perpetrators of violence accountable while compelling the Nigerian government to protect vulnerable communities.
The findings of the investigative roundtable and subsequent Congressional Delegation to Nigeria paint a grim picture, asserting that Nigeria has become the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian.
The report cites ongoing attacks by well-armed Fulani militias and terrorist groups that have resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, the destruction of thousands of churches, and widespread kidnappings.
Furthermore, it highlights the use of blasphemy laws in northern states to silence dissent and justify convictions of religious minorities without due process.
To address these systemic issues, the recommendations urge the United States to strike a bilateral agreement with the Nigerian government specifically focused on protecting Christian communities and eliminating jihadist terror. Under this proposed framework, Nigeria would be required to co-fund humanitarian assistance for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), particularly in the predominantly Christian Middle Belt.
The report also calls for the removal of Fulani militias from confiscated farmland and the implementation of a comprehensive demobilization and reintegration program to address illicit weaponry.
On the diplomatic and economic front, the recommendations suggest using significant points of leverage to force disarmament. This includes a proposal to block the export of beef and cattle-related products from Nigeria to neighboring countries like Ghana and Ivory Coast unless militias are disarmed.
Additionally, the report advocates for the implementation of sanctions and visa restrictions against individuals who participate in or tolerate violence against Christians, as well as a formal demand for the repeal of sharia codes and anti-blasphemy laws.
The roadmap also seeks to modernize Nigeria’s security apparatus by phasing out Russian military equipment in favor of American technology through strategic sales and financing.
To ensure these measures translate into measurable change, the proposal includes a requirement for the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026, to mandate proof of progress before any additional funds are obligated to the Nigerian government.