U.S Congress Archives - Afinju FM

US Congressman Visits Benue, Calls for Global Attention to IDP Crisis

Boluwatife Ajayi — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 09:24:40 +0000

US Congressman Riley Moore, on his visit to Benue State, said he heard shocking stories of violence against Christian communities.

He met people living in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs), many of whom told him their families were killed and their homes destroyed.

Moore said one woman watched her husband and five children killed before she escaped. Another woman said her family was murdered and her baby was cut from her womb. A man told Moore his family was hacked to death and his arm was badly damaged. According to Moore, more than 600,000 Christians now live in IDP camps in Benue.

He urged the international community to pay more attention to the crisis, accusing armed Fulani groups of targeting Christian communities. Moore also met Tiv traditional leaders and Catholic bishops, saying they discussed what he called ongoing attacks in the region.

During his trip to Nigeria, Moore met with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and other top officials. They talked about terrorism in the North-East and violence in the Middle Belt, which Moore said are key issues for President Donald Trump. He praised Nigeria for rescuing more than 100 abducted Catholic schoolchildren.

US Congressman Raises Alarm Over Terrorism, Killings in Talks With Nigeria’s NSA

Moore said both countries agreed to improve security cooperation and noted the creation of a joint Nigeria–US task force, stressing that these talks must lead to real action.

The Nigerian government has denied claims that Christians are being systematically targeted, saying insecurity affects all groups. Meanwhile, the US recently redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged religious freedom violations, increasing diplomatic tensions.

Source: Punch

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US Lawmakers to Hold Briefing on Alleged Persecution of Christians in Nigeria

Boluwatife Ajayi — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:35:49 +0000

The United States House Appropriations Committee says it will hold a joint congressional briefing on Tuesday to examine claims of persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

In a statement on X, the committee said the session will include Mario Diaz-Balart, its vice chair and head of the national security subcommittee, along with members from the foreign affairs and financial services committees. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom and other experts will also take part.

According to the committee, the roundtable will gather key testimony for a detailed report requested by former President Donald Trump on attacks against Nigerian Christians and what steps Congress can take to protect vulnerable religious groups.

Congressman Riley Moore, who shared the notice on X, said Trump has called for urgent action. He added that the briefing is part of an ongoing investigation into religious freedom violations in Nigeria.

In November, President Bola Tinubu approved the Nigerian team for the US-Nigeria joint working group, created to boost cooperation on security issues.

The decision followed a visit to Washington, DC, by a Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

Source: Thecable

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U.S. Congress to Probe Alleged Christian Persecution in Nigeria

Afinju FM — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 14:43:33 +0000

The session will be led by Rep. Chris Smith, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, who has long pushed for action on the issue.

Smith previously introduced a resolution identifying the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore as groups of concern, recommending visa bans and asset freezes for members.

The resolution also urged the U.S. to list “Fulani-Ethnic Militias” in Benue and Plateau states as Entities of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act.

According to Smith’s office, the hearing will focus on alleged attacks by “radical Islamists,” the implications of Nigeria’s CPC designation, and what steps the State Department should take in response to what critics call Nigerian government inaction.

Witnesses on the first panel include Jonathan Pratt of the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs and Jacob McGee of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. The second panel will feature experts such as Nina Shea of the Centre for Religious Freedom, Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of Makurdi Diocese, and Oge Onubogu of the Centre for Strategic & International Studies.

Source: Thecable

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