A tense moment unfolded in Washington as U.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga gets teary while criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration for what he described as a lack of decisive action.
Renewed controversy over Nigeria’s reinstatement on the U.S. list of worst religious-freedom violators ignited intense disagreements in Congress on Thursday.
Lawmakers were deeply divided, with some describing the situation as a “Christian genocide,” while others warned that such framing dangerously oversimplifies the country’s multifaceted security crisis.
President Donald Trump recently restored Nigeria’s Country of Particular Concern (CPC) status and even threatened military intervention over allegations of Christian persecution.
The congressional dispute unfolded shortly after U.S. Congressman Riley Moore—one of the most vocal advocates of the genocide label—held a meeting in Washington with Nigeria’s delegation led by national security adviser Nuhu Ribadu. Moore later described their talks as a “frank, honest, and productive discussion” focused on alleged Christian persecution and ongoing terrorist threats.
According to him, Nigerian representatives also highlighted issues surrounding security assistance, counterterrorism efforts, and the safety of at-risk populations.
Nigeria first received the CPC designation in 2020 during Trump’s presidency, a classification reserved for countries committing the gravest violations of religious freedom. The designation was later removed by former President Joe Biden, a decision that drew criticism from conservative politicians and some religious rights advocates.
Conflict data from ACLED, an international violence-tracking group, shows that between January 2020 and September 2025, Nigeria experienced close to 12,000 civilian-targeted attacks leading to over 20,000 deaths across different religions. Only about five percent of these incidents were explicitly religious in nature, with 417 Muslim victims and 317 Christian victims recorded.
‘Violence affects everyone’ – Jacobs warns against simplistic narratives
During the hearing, Rep. Sara Jacobs argued that presenting Nigeria’s insecurity solely as a religious war distorts reality and risks worsening the situation.
She stated: “There is very real conflict and violence that we need to address… The violence impacting both Christian and Muslim communities is real,” drawing from her experience working on U.S. counter-Boko Haram strategy since 2013.
Jacobs cited recent examples involving both faiths, noting: “The victims in the Kebbi State kidnapping were all Muslim girls. So, violence affects everyone. And false narratives perpetuate harmful stereotypes.”
She also criticised Trump’s recent comments: “President Trump’s threat is reckless. Any unilateral military action in Nigeria would be illegal.”
State Department: Christians are being attacked because of their faith
In contrast, Jacob McGee, deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, defended reinstating Nigeria on the CPC list. He insisted that the violence faced by Christians—especially in the Middle Belt—is specifically motivated by religion.
“These attacks directly target Christian populations. Witness testimonies confirmed attackers used religious language and specifically targeted Christians for killing, abduction, and rape,” he said.
McGee also faulted Nigeria’s response to blasphemy-related cases, pointing to delays in judicial processes and mob actions as indicators of systemic religious freedom problems.
Referencing the 2022 killing of Deborah Samuel, he added: “This young Christian woman’s life was taken too soon, yet her murderers remain free.”
Jayapal: It is not just Christians
Rep. Pramila Jayapal strongly countered what she called a one-sided interpretation.
“The killings in Nigeria aren’t just the persecution of Christians. It is the persecution of multiple groups. We should be careful not to portray it as just prosecution of Christians; that would be simplistic,” she said.
Huizenga emotional: Tinubu’s government not doing enough
Congressman Bill Huizenga, a co-sponsor of the resolution supporting the CPC redesignation, gave an emotional contribution, accusing Nigeria’s leadership of failing to act decisively.
Holding back tears, he said: “Tinubu’s government is sitting back, not doing enough.”
Huizenga maintained that Christian communities remain disproportionately targeted and urged the U.S. to respond firmly.
Watch video below …
‘Tinubu’s government is sitting back, not doing enough,’ US Congressman Bill Huizenga fights back tears over killings in Nigeria.
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