By John Umeh
The rising wave of kidnappings, extremist attacks, and targeted violence in Nigeria has triggered fresh legislative action both in Washington DC and Abuja, with lawmakers in the United States and Nigeria holding separate sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday to assess what some American officials described as “a deepening humanitarian and religious-freedom crisis.”
In the US capital, a rare joint briefing brought together members of the House Appropriations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, acting on the directive of President Donald Trump. Trump had, on October 31, instructed Congress to investigate what he called the “slaughter of Christians in Nigeria” and submit a comprehensive report to the White House.
Led by Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart, Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee and Chair of its National Security Subcommittee, the session drew participation from senior lawmakers, religious-freedom specialists, and advocates who have monitored Nigeria’s security trajectory for years.
Representatives Robert Aderholt, Riley Moore, Brian Mast, and Chris Smith joined the briefing, alongside USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler, ADF International’s Sean Nelson, and Dr Ebenezer Obadare of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Díaz-Balart opened with a stark warning: “Global religious freedom is a moral obligation and a core American interest. No one should live in fear because of how they choose to worship.” He argued that his FY26 allocation bill includes strengthened funding for programmes that protect persecuted religious minorities, adding that the Congressional review is essential to advancing the administration’s America First security agenda.
Aderholt backed this, calling Nigeria’s current situation “a crisis that cannot be ignored.” Moore linked the briefing to the recent US redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), a classification that heightens scrutiny and could pave the way for direct sanctions against government officials.
Mast took a more forceful approach, describing the violence in Nigeria as “a targeted campaign of religious cleansing” aimed at driving Christian communities from the Middle Belt region. Smith called Nigeria “ground zero of religious violence,” accusing local authorities of allowing killers to operate with “complete impunity.”
Stakeholders Warn of Worsening Attacks, Call for Pressure on Abuja
Expert testimony painted a grim picture. Hartzler cited the recent abduction of more than 300 schoolchildren and a dozen teachers from a Catholic institution as proof that security has deteriorated sharply this year. She lamented that villagers routinely warn authorities ahead of attacks but receive little or no protection until after the damage is done.
Sean Nelson of ADF International detailed disturbing cases of Christians facing kidnapping, torture, forced conversions, and prolonged imprisonment under Sharia jurisdictions. “I have visited communities destroyed by Fulani militants. I have seen mass graves, grieving widows, and children who watched their pastors beheaded,” he said, insisting that Nigerian officials often downplayed the religious dimension of the conflict.
Dr Obadare of the Council on Foreign Relations blamed Boko Haram for sustaining what he called Nigeria’s deadliest phase of jihadist violence. While acknowledging recent Nigerian military operations following US pressure, he urged Washington to go further. According to him, US leverage should push the Nigerian government to constitutionally outlaw Sharia criminal codes in the 12 northern states where they have operated since 2000 and to dismantle the Hisbah religious police structures.
Congressional staff confirmed that a detailed advisory report will be transmitted to President Trump in the coming weeks, outlining policy options for curbing attacks on vulnerable groups and strengthening bilateral counterterrorism mechanisms.
Nigeria’s Parliament Moves to Address Domestic Security Failures
While Washington was deliberating, Nigeria’s House of Representatives announced that it would open a full debate today (Wednesday) on the dire state of insecurity nationwide. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu revealed that lawmakers will focus on reforms aimed at controlling banditry, kidnappings, and extremist attacks that have overwhelmed security agencies.
One of the most contentious items—the establishment of state police—is now gaining strong bipartisan support. Representative Mansur Soro confirmed that the joint committee working on constitutional amendments has finalised its report and will present it this month for voting in both chambers. If lawmakers approve and two-thirds of state assemblies ratify it, the bill will proceed to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
Soro said the committee has also reviewed proposals on fiscal federalism, power devolution, women’s reserved seats, and local autonomy, but insisted that state policing is now a matter of “urgent national necessity.”
Representative Marcus Onobun echoed this sentiment, arguing that crime patterns have become so localised that a centralised police structure can no longer respond effectively. “Governors must have the tools to secure the territories they are constitutionally responsible for,” he said.
Tinubu Convenes Urgent Security Meeting as Military Leadership Shifts
As both legislatures deliberated, President Bola Tinubu held a high-level security meeting behind closed doors at the Aso Rock Villa. The gathering included the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; the service chiefs; the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; DSS Director-General Oluwatosin Ajayi; and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt. General Akomaye Undiandeye.
The meeting came just hours after Tinubu nominated retired CDS Gen. Christopher Musa as the new Minister of Defence, following the unexpected resignation of former minister Abubakar Badaru.
Last week, Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency, unveiling measures such as:
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recruitment of 20,000 additional police personnel,
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deployment of forest rangers and rapid-response units,
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reinforcement of security around schools, churches, mosques, and vulnerable communities.
Sources at the Villa suggested that Tuesday’s meeting was aimed at coordinating these new measures and reviewing fresh intelligence on bandit and terrorist movements.
Also sighted at the Presidential Complex was Abia State Governor Alex Otti, though it was unclear whether his visit was connected to the security meeting.
US–Nigeria Security Cooperation Strengthens
Nigeria has recently approved its delegation to the US–Nigeria Joint Working Group, a security platform created following meetings in Washington involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. The group is expected to enhance intelligence sharing, border surveillance, counterterrorism strategy, and civilian-protection mechanisms.
This cooperation has grown more urgent since the US House Subcommittee on Africa opened a public hearing on November 20 to examine the implications of Nigeria’s CPC redesignation. If the classification is confirmed by the Senate, it may trigger sanctions or restrictions on officials deemed complicit in rights violations.
With insecurity spiralling and international scrutiny intensifying, both the US Congress and Nigeria’s House of Representatives appear set for decisive weeks ahead—weeks that may shape the trajectory of Nigeria’s national security more than any period in recent memory.
