Amid growing reports of attacks and persecution targeting Christians in Nigeria, the United States House Appropriations Committee will hold a joint congressional briefing on Tuesday to examine the situation and explore potential US responses.
US Congressman Riley Moore confirmed the session on X, noting that it will be chaired by Appropriations Committee Vice Chair and National Security Subcommittee Chair, Mario Díaz-Balart. Members from the House Appropriations, Foreign Affairs, and Financial Services Committees are also expected to participate.
Representatives from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, alongside other experts, will provide testimony and insights during the briefing. Lawmakers aim to highlight escalating violence and targeted persecution of Christians in Nigeria, while gathering evidence to support a forthcoming report.
The report, originally ordered by President Donald Trump, will examine the killings of Christians in Nigeria and propose possible congressional actions to strengthen U.S. efforts to protect vulnerable religious communities worldwide.
The briefing comes as Washington and Abuja step up security cooperation in response to a surge in terrorist attacks, kidnappings, and communal violence in Nigeria. President Bola Tinubu recently approved Nigeria’s delegation to the U.S.-Nigeria Joint Working Group, which focuses on counterterrorism and related security threats.
The Nigerian delegation will be led by National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and include senior officials from multiple government agencies. The working group was established following a high-level visit to Washington by Nigerian officials to enhance bilateral collaboration on security matters.
