Olushola Omogbehin
Following the allegation of Christian genocide in Nigeria and its subsequent designation as a “Country of Particular Concern” by Donald Trump, the United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa held an open hearing on Thursday where Lawmakers, religious leaders, United States Department officials and witnesses were divided in opinion over genocide allegation against Nigeria.
The committee which was led by Chris Smith convened in order to review the scope of religious persecution in Nigeria, expected policy responses such as sanctions, humanitarian assistance and partnership with Nigeria in order arrest future occurrence of violence.
The Chairman of the panel, Chris Smith who said that over 52,000 Christians were slaughtered in Nigeria since 2009 also affirmed that from all the Christians martyred all over the world, Nigeria constitutes 89 per cent of them. .
Stating with clarity that attacks in Nigeria were “religiously Motivated”, he particularly accused militant Fulani herdsmen of committing acts of rape, kidnapping and murder with absolute impunity.
He reiterated that the U.S. will not keep silent while people are persecuted and will not stop fighting until perpetrators are brought to justice.
In one of the two panels was the presentations by the Director of the Centre for Religious Freedom, Ms Nina Shea; Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of Makurdi Catholic Diocese in Nigeria; and Ms Oge Onubogu of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
In his presentation, Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of Makurdi Diocese said Nigeria is facing one of its darkest seasons because Christianity is about to be exterminated in Northern and Middle Belt regions due to uncontrollable killings, mass displacement and attacks in various degrees.
According to him, the violence which did not stop despite recent international attention, including the redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern by US President Donald Trump, is a systematic effort to eliminate Christian communities with their cultural and religious identity.
Among the example attacks given by the Bishop are: May 22 attack on his hometown, where several of his relatives were killed, the displacement of the whole convent of Reverend Sisters of the Order of St. Clare along with the local Catholic parish and the shooting of one of his priests, Father Solomon Atongo on May 24.
He also mentioned June 13 massacre in Yelwata, Benue State, where he said 278 men and women including children were slaughtered with many more attacks and kidnappings across north central states of Plateau, Kogi, Kaduna and Benue.
Appreciating the intervention of Donald Trrump on behalf of millions of Christians in Nigeria home and abroad for designating Nigeria as a County of Particular Concern, he urged them to follow their words with action.
Sara Jacobs, a United States Congresswoman, described President Donald Trump’s military threat to Nigeria over alleged Christian genocide as reckless.
She argued that pinning Nigeria’s violence solely on religious conflict fails to capture the full picture because the violence affects both Christians and Muslims.
“President Trump’s threat is reckless, and any unilateral military action in Nigeria is illegal. Congress has not authorised force in Nigeria to protect Christians,” she said.
She therefore called on Nigerian government to do more to protect its citizens.
Pramila Jayapal also warned against classifying Nigeria’s violence as targeting only one religious group. he said that does not account for the intersectional diversity of Nigeria,
“But I appreciate that people have also recognised it isn’t just the persecution of Christians. This is persecution of multiple groups. And I think we have to be careful not to portray it just as persecution of Christians.”
In his address, Congressman Bill Huizenga challenged President Bola Tinubu’s administration for what he called an ongoing attacks by “radicalised Islamists” against Christians in Nigeria.
He accused the media and US lawmakers of downplaying religious-related violence in Nigeria.
“I went to school with kids from Nigeria,” he said, pausing as he attempted to control his emotions. We have got neighbours who’ve been missionaries there, who have family there, who have friends there, who know this is going on.”
John James who represents the people of Michigan’s 10th Congressional district, said “Nigeria is facing one of the gravest religious freedom crises in the world. I have visited and have seen firsthand the direness of the conditions in what is now the deadliest place on earth to be a Christian.”
Buttressing his point, he said the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a clear example.
“In 2022, Nigeria’s Court of Appeals struck down the charges against him and ordered his release. The UN Working Group for Arbitrary Detention has also called for his unconditional release, yet he remains in solitary confinement in deteriorating health and recently had to represent himself in court.”
Continuing, he said: “Nigeria has signalled that the law is optional and targeting Christians is fair game. Just hours ago this morning, despite the pleas and cries of Nigerian people and many Nigerian lawmakers, Kanu was convicted on all charges.”
Sarah Jacob expressed the need to funding programmes that will prevent violence and addressing the root causes of conflict.
