The United States House Appropriations Committee is expected to have a joint congressional roundtable briefing today with the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and other experts to examine critical evidence surrounding the alleged killings of Christians in Nigeria spotlighted by President Donald Trump.
The session, to be chaired by the Committee’s Vice Chair and National Security Subcommittee Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart, will receive testimonies from expert witnesses. Among them is Sean Nelson, Senior Counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom International, who confirmed he will testify on what he describes as “severe persecution of Christians” and worsening religious freedom violations in Nigeria. He described the congressional roundtable as a major step in advancing President Trump’s call for an end to the alleged atrocities.
Representative Riley M. Moore, who serves West Virginia’s 2nd District and is one of the lawmakers directed by Trump to lead the inquiry, stressed that the Committee “will not turn a blind eye to Christians who suffer for their ecclesiastical faith.”
“President Trump asked me and @HouseAppropsGOP to investigate the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. As part of this investigation, the committee is hosting a roundtable to continue building on the work we’ve done so far. We will never turn a blind eye to our brothers and sisters in Christ who suffer for their faith.” he stated
The Committee aims to gather comprehensive testimonies and evidence to compile a detailed report for President Trump. This report is expected to inform Washington’s next steps, including potential security support and enhanced intelligence cooperation with Abuja, moves that align with indications of deepening U.S.–Nigeria security collaboration.
The roundtable follows Trump’s directive to Congressman Moore, alongside Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole, to investigate what he described as “radical Islamists killing Christians in Nigeria,” further warning that the U.S. could “send-guns-a-blazing” if the Nigerian government fails to act.
The Government of Nigeria, however, has firmly rejected the allegations, denied claims of a Christian massacre, and rejected portrayals of the country as religiously intolerant. Officials argue that extremist groups such as Boko Haram and Al-Qaeda–linked factions target civilians regardless of faith.
Nigeria has intensified efforts to combat terrorism and insecurity through several measures, including a nationwide security emergency declaration, recruitment of 20,000 additional police and military personnel, restructuring of security command hierarchies, deployment of forest guards, reassessment of boarding schools in remote areas, and stronger security coordination for mosques and churches during religious gatherings.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently approved Abuja’s participation in the U.S.–Nigeria Joint Working Group following a bilateral agreement signed during a meeting led by National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
By: Richmond Fordjour Ampofo
