U.S. Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Riley Moore (R-WV), along with other lawmakers, have introduced a bill requiring the U.S. Secretary of State to submit a detailed report to Congress on American efforts to address Christian persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria.
International Christian Concern has documented widespread violence against Christians in Nigeria for over 20 years, citing attacks by Fulani militias, Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and other groups. Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has described these attacks as genocide.
The proposed legislation, called the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 (H.R. 7457), aims to move quickly through the House of Representatives. Rep. Smith stated that the bill already has significant support. He noted that last year, President Trump advocated for designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern due to ongoing persecution of Christians.
“The Nigerian government’s blatant denial of the religious persecution occurring within its borders has only enabled the religious-based violence in the country to fester, with Christian deaths and church attacks reaching unprecedented numbers,” said Rep. Smith.
Lawmakers referenced estimates indicating that between 50,000 and 125,000 Christians were killed from 2009 to 2025, with more than 19,000 churches attacked or destroyed during this period.
Nigeria faces ongoing security challenges involving groups like Boko Haram—whose insurgency began in 2009—and armed Fulani militias operating mainly in central states such as Plateau and Benue. These incidents have included kidnappings for ransom, church bombings, village raids, destruction of farmland, and mass displacement leading to growth in internally displaced persons camps.
While Nigerian officials acknowledge security problems, they often attribute violence in central regions to land disputes rather than religious factors. However, some U.S. lawmakers and advocacy organizations argue that religious identity is a key component behind many attacks.
Rep. Moore commented: “For years, Christians in Nigeria have faced unspeakable violence—churches burned, villages destroyed, families slaughtered—while the global community looked away. As part of the investigation President Trump asked me to lead, I visited Nigeria and witnessed firsthand the horrors our brothers and sisters in Christ face and saw the security challenges Nigeria faces.”
The bill calls for increased scrutiny of extremist groups and greater transparency regarding U.S.-Nigeria cooperation on humanitarian aid for displaced Christians as well as sanctions under human rights laws.
According to Rep. Smith, the required report would include assessments of Nigeria’s compliance with international religious freedom standards; identification of sanctioned individuals or entities; descriptions of joint humanitarian projects; evaluations of U.S. security assistance; investigations into enforcement of blasphemy laws; reviews of conditions for internally displaced persons; recommendations for further action; and evaluations of steps taken by Nigerian authorities during the reporting period.
Chris Smith currently serves New Jersey’s 4th district in Congress—a position he has held since replacing Frank Thompson in 1981—and was born in Rahway before moving to Manchester Township.
https://persecution.org/2026/02/12/u-s-lawmakers-introduce-legislation-to-stem-persecution-in-nigeria/
