US House Committee to examine Nigeria's actions on attacks against Christians

The US House Subcommittee on Africa will hold a hearing on Thursday. They will look into how the Nigerian government has worked to protect Christians from terrorists over the past year.

The hearing will be led by Chris Smith, a Republican lawmaker. It will focus on terrorist activities in Benue and other states in the Middle Belt.

The hearing is called "One Year Later: Assessing Nigeria’s Efforts to Protect Christians and Secure the Middle Belt." It aims to explore religious violence and what they call "Christian persecution" in Nigeria.

This hearing comes just a week after the US midterm elections. Republicans faced significant losses across the country. Despite this, Mr. Smith kept his seat in the House.

According to a statement from Mr. Smith’s office, the hearing will evaluate the actions of radical Islamist groups. This includes Boko Haram and armed Fulani groups targeting Christian communities in Nigeria.

It will also look at how the Nigerian government is working to protect vulnerable communities and bring the attackers to justice.

"Chris Smith will chair his fourteenth congressional hearing on the religious persecution of Christians by radical Islamist groups in Nigeria," the statement said. It will also focus on the Nigerian government’s efforts to reduce violence and protect communities in the Middle Belt.

The hearing will examine the levels of religious violence by groups like Boko Haram and Fulani terrorists against Christians in Nigeria. It will also consider the Nigerian government's actions to stop this persecution and punish those responsible for the violence against Christians and moderate Muslims.

The statement added that the committee would discuss what the US government could do to make sure that Nigerian authorities deal with and prevent "systemic violence against Christians and non-radical Muslims by Islamist extremists."

Mr. Chris is known for promoting the narrative of a Christian genocide in Nigeria last year. This was during a time when US President Donald Trump was critical of Nigeria.

Some lawmakers in the US and members of Trump's administration have often claimed there is a Christian genocide in Nigeria. This claim has faced pushback due to lack of evidence.

In February, Mr. Chris also put forward the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act in Congress. This act aims to impose sanctions on those suspected of religious violence.

It proposed sanctions on Rabiu Kwankwaso, the former governor of Kano, and groups like Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN). It also included Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and the Fulani nomad militias for their alleged connections to extremist groups.

In July, the House approved a bill to cut all foreign assistance to Nigeria. This will remain until Nigeria can show it is taking real steps to protect Christians from violence.

This bill is called the National Security Department of State and Related Programs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2027.

The push to cut foreign aid was led by Riley Moore and other Republican lawmakers. Initially, the bill suggested limiting US assistance to 50 percent, but Republicans later aimed to stop all foreign assistance.

This means Nigeria's access to foreign aid in 2027 will depend on Congress's view of its actions against violent extremism.

Nigeria’s relationship with the US has improved recently. Both countries have set up ways to keep talking and working together on security and trade.