A member of the United States Congress has expressed deep concern over the rising attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria, saying the situation has become so alarming that it “keeps him awake at night.”In a resolution recently presented before the U.S. House of Representatives, the lawmaker condemned what he described as the relentless persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
He claimed that thousands of Christians have been killed in the past year by extremist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP, while many churches have been destroyed in repeated waves of violence.According to him, the U.S. must increase diplomatic pressure on Nigeria and consider stronger measures to ensure the protection of vulnerable communities.
He also urged Washington to redesignate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” a move that could trigger sanctions.
However, the Nigerian government has rejected the claims, insisting that the killings are not targeted at Christians alone. Authorities maintain that terrorism and banditry affect all citizens regardless of religion, and accuse foreign lawmakers of misrepresenting the situation.Christian groups in Nigeria have backed the U.S. Congress member’s position, saying churches and Christian communities continue to suffer deadly attacks across the northern region and the Middle Belt.
The growing dispute has sparked fresh diplomatic tension between Nigeria and the United States, as both sides struggle to agree on the true nature of the country’s security crisis.