The United States House Appropriations Committee will hold a joint congressional briefing on Tuesday to examine claims of targeted attacks against Christians in Nigeria.
US Congressman Riley Moore announced on X that House Appropriations Committee Vice Chair and National Security Subcommittee Chair, Mario Díaz-Balart, will lead the engagement.
He will be joined by lawmakers from the Appropriations Committee, along with members of the Foreign Affairs and Financial Services Committees.
The session will also include contributions from representatives of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom and other experts familiar with the subject.
According to the announcement, the goal of the briefing is “to spotlight the escalating violence and targeted persecution of Christians in Nigeria.”
It further noted that “The roundtable will gather critical testimony to inform a comprehensive report—directed by President Trump—on the massacre of Nigerian Christians and the steps Congress can take to support the White House’s efforts to protect vulnerable faith communities worldwide.”
The upcoming briefing aligns with ongoing US-Nigeria engagements following a recent rise in violent attacks, highlighting renewed efforts to improve bilateral security collaboration.
Last week, President Bola Tinubu approved the setup of the Nigerian delegation for the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group as part of measures to deepen cooperation in countering the country’s security threats.
The formation of the team followed agreements reached during a recent visit to Washington, DC, by a high-level Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
According to a statement released on Thursday, the NSA will head the Nigerian side of the group and work alongside senior officials drawn from key government institutions.
Nigeria’s widespread security concerns drew global focus after President Donald Trump issued a warning about Christian genocide in Nigeria, threatening to deploy the US military to Nigeria “guns-a-blazing”.
The Federal Government, however, rejected the claim, stating it was implementing measures to tackle the nation’s security issues.
President Tinubu also reiterated that the protection of Nigerians remains central to his administration and stressed that the country is committed to religious freedom and tolerance.
On November 21, the US House Subcommittee on Africa examined Nigeria’s redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
During the hearing, multiple speakers presented differing views on the killings occurring across Nigeria.
What you should know
This briefing reflects growing US concern over Nigeria’s security situation, especially regarding attacks on Christians.
It also highlights Washington’s increasing pressure on Abuja to provide clearer answers, stronger reforms, and measurable progress as both nations strengthen security cooperation amid rising violence.
