Concerns about killings in Nigeria have attracted renewed international attention, with the United States Congress set to hold another hearing tomorrow on attacks against Christian communities and security challenges in the Middle Belt, as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that nearly 64,000 Nigerians have fled to neighbouring Niger this year.
The developments come amid mounting political pressure on President Bola Tinubu’s administration, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) promising a major security overhaul ahead of the 2027 elections and opposition figures questioning its capacity to protect lives and property.
The United States Congress is set to hold another hearing on insecurity in Nigeria, with lawmakers expected to examine attacks on Christian communities, the Federal Government’s efforts to protect vulnerable populations and the security situation in the Middle Belt.
The hearing will be convened by the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa and chaired by Congressman Chris Smith.
Titled “One Year Later: Assessing Nigeria’s Efforts to Protect Christians and Secure the Middle Belt”, the session will assess the government’s response to attacks, efforts to bring perpetrators to justice and measures to safeguard vulnerable communities.
According to a notice from Smith’s office, lawmakers will also examine the role of extremist groups in the violence and possible steps the United States could take to address the situation.
Two panels of witnesses are expected to appear, including U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank Garcia, and Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, Riley Barnes.
Others are Nina Shea of the Hudson Institute, Ryan Brown of Open Doors U.S. and Oge Onubogu, Director of the Africa Programme at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
Smith said the session would be his 14th congressional hearing on the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
The development comes amid renewed attention from the Trump administration and American lawmakers to attacks on Christian communities in the country.
In October 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged violations of religious freedom.
Credit: guardian.ng
