Christian Genocide: US Congress Holds Fresh Hearing, Set to Probe Nigeria

The United States Congress has opened a fresh inquiry into allegations of widespread attacks on Christians in Nigeria.

US Lawmakers say the new hearing is aimed at reviewing rising insecurity and its impact on religious freedom in the country.

The session is focused on Nigeria’s growing role in global discussions on faith-based violence. Lawmakers warned that failure to confront the crisis could deepen religious divisions and worsen instability across West Africa.

The hearing is being held jointly by the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa and the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. It is titled “Defending Religious Freedom Around the World.” The discussion covers several regions, but Nigeria is one of the central cases under review.

Several high-profile witnesses are scheduled to appear before Congress. They include former US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback, and Mark Walker, Principal Advisor for Global Religious Freedom at the US State Department.

Others expected to testify are Grace Drexel, whose father is a detained Chinese pastor, and Dr. Stephen Schneck, a former chairman of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.

In his written testimony, Brownback described Nigeria as “the deadliest place on the planet to be a Christian.” He warned that killings, mass displacement, and persistent attacks on communities show signs of a deepening religious crisis.

“Early warning signs of a Muslim-on-Christian war are brewing across Africa, and Nigeria sits at the centre of that danger,” Brownback wrote.

He added that religious communities facing persecution around the world are “America’s greatest allies in the spread of freedom.”

Brownback also raised concern about the influence of foreign powers in Nigeria’s security space. He cautioned that involvement by countries such as China, Russia, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia could further complicate the fight against violence if not properly managed.

In a separate submission, Dr. Schneck said freedom of religion is facing what he called a historic global crisis. He listed Nigeria, Syria, and Sudan as countries where weak governance and insecurity have created dangerous conditions for believers.

“Nigeria, Syria, and Sudan are current examples of such conditions threatening freedom of religion or belief,” Schneck wrote.

He criticised the United States for not doing enough to match its words with action under the International Religious Freedom Act.

“If we are to take the International Religious Freedom Act as our measure, then the United States is not doing enough. We have been long on rhetoric and short on substance,” Schneck said.

Schneck also warned against limiting the debate to Christians alone. He stressed that international laws protect all faith groups and not just one religion.

The renewed attention from Congress comes weeks after Nigeria was redesignated by US President Donald Trump as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged violations of religious freedom. The move triggered fresh diplomatic talks between both countries.

Meetings have since taken place between US officials and Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, focusing on security cooperation and human rights issues.

However, the Nigerian government has continued to reject claims of religious persecution. Authorities insist that the violence in the country is driven mainly by terrorism, banditry, and criminal activity, not by religion.

Despite these assurances, US lawmakers say Nigeria’s situation requires closer monitoring and stronger policy responses.

The outcome of this hearing is expected to shape future diplomatic and legislative action by Washington on religious freedom in Nigeria and other high-risk countries.

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