Prosper Okoye
U.S. lawmakers have warned Nigeria to curb escalating violence against Christians or risk losing continued U.S. security support, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu opened talks with Mahamat Idriss Déby to address cross-border attacks by armed groups.
In a joint statement released during Holy Week, a group of U.S. legislators led by Robert Aderholt said Christian communities, particularly in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, were facing “brutal violence and death for their faith.” The lawmakers said the timing of the attacks during one of Christianity’s most sacred periods underscored their severity.
The statement, shared -on social media by Riley Moore, said President Donald Trump had signed bipartisan legislation tying U.S. security assistance to Nigeria’s progress in addressing violence against Christians in the region. The lawmakers urged Nigerian authorities to make “significant progress” in protecting vulnerable communities, warning that continued support could depend on measurable improvements.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThey added that provisions linking aid to accountability were championed by members including Mario Diaz-Balart.
Nigeria’s Middle Belt has long been a flashpoint for conflict between farmers and herders, a crisis driven by a mix of ethnic, economic and religious tensions. While analysts say the violence is complex, the U.S. lawmakers stressed that protecting civilians must remain a priority regardless of the underlying causes.
The statement called for an immediate end to what it described as “horrific persecution,” urging both Nigerian authorities and the international community to intensify efforts to stop the violence.
The warning came as Tinubu’s administration signalled fresh regional coordination to tackle insecurity. Information Minister Mohammed Idris said the president was in discussions with Déby as part of efforts to curb the movement of armed groups across borders in the Sahel and into northeastern Nigeria.
“Fighting terrorism and cross-border crime is not a one-country affair,” Idris said in Abuja on Thursday.
The talks follow renewed unrest in parts of northern Nigeria, including violence in Jos that has led to deaths and destruction of property.
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Idris said the government remained committed to protecting lives and freedom of worship, stressing that Nigeria is a multi-faith country and rejecting claims of religious bias. He added that Tinubu had met with security chiefs and consulted authorities in Plateau State as part of efforts to contain the violence.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
