In a move that could shake Nigeria’s diplomatic standing with Washington, a group of high-profile Republican Senators has accused Nigerian authorities of turning a blind eye to what they describe as “massive and unchecked violence” against Christians and other religious minorities.
The lawmakers: Ted Budd, Josh Hawley, Pete Ricketts, Ted Cruz, and James Lankford have written a joint letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, demanding the immediate re-designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA).
In their letter, the Senators minced no words:
“We write to urge you to consider designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) pursuant to the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) to give the President additional authority to take specific actions to address the continued unchecked acts of violence and terrorism against religious minorities perpetrated by nonstate actors in Nigeria.”
The Senators allege that Christians are being subjected to widespread persecution, brutal killings, kidnappings, and terrorist attacks in Nigeria, while the government has failed to decisively respond.
This call comes amid mounting global outrage over worsening insecurity in Nigeria, where extremist groups, armed bandits, and herdsmen militias have repeatedly targeted villages, churches, and clergy. Observers say the Senators’ intervention is a sharp indictment of Nigeria’s human rights and security record.
If Nigeria is re-designated as a CPC, it could expose the country to direct diplomatic consequences including sanctions and tougher US foreign policy measures, unless urgent steps are taken to protect religious freedoms.
Analysts warn that this move could escalate into a major diplomatic showdown, with Washington pressuring Abuja to confront what the US lawmakers have now branded a human rights emergency.