House Appropriations Vice Chair and National Security Subcommittee Chairman Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), together with Appropriators Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL) and Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV), on Tuesday led a joint congressional briefing with the House Foreign Affairs Committee to examine escalating violence and the targeted persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The session brought together lawmakers and global religious-freedom experts in response to growing concerns over mass killings, abductions, and extremist attacks.
The briefing follows former President Donald J. Trump’s October 31 directive to the House Appropriations Committee to investigate the situation and report back findings on what he described as the “slaughter of Christians” in Nigeria.
Participants included:
- Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), Vice Chair, House Appropriations Committee; Chair, National Security Subcommittee
- Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Chair, Labor–HHS–Education Subcommittee; Chair, Values Action Team
- Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV), Vice Chair, Legislative Branch Subcommittee; prominent religious-liberty advocate
- Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), Chairman, House Foreign Affairs Committee
- Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman, House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee
- Hon. Vicky Hartzler, Chair, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
- Sean Nelson, Alliance Defending Freedom International
- Dr. Ebenezer Obadare, Council on Foreign Relations
“No one should live in fear because of how they worship” — Díaz-Balart
Subcommittee Chairman Díaz-Balart underscored that protecting religious liberty is a moral imperative and a core American foreign-policy priority.
“No one should live in fear because of how they worship. Defending religious liberty worldwide is both a moral duty and a vital American interest.”
He said the FY26 funding bill includes measures to address religious persecution and pledged to strengthen these efforts.
Aderholt: “A crisis that can’t be ignored”
Rep. Robert Aderholt condemned the rising violence against Christians, noting that many Nigerians face threats to life and liberty merely because of their faith.
“We must stand firmly with Nigeria’s Christian communities and all persecuted believers worldwide.”
Moore: “The world will no longer turn a blind eye”
Rep. Riley Moore tied his involvement to Trump’s earlier decision to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
“Our brothers and sisters in Christ are being persecuted and slaughtered in Nigeria simply for professing their faith. The world will no longer turn a blind eye.”
Mast: “This is a targeted campaign of religious cleansing”
Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Brian Mast rejected claims that the violence is merely communal or resource-based.
“Whether it is Boko Haram, ISWAP, or radicalized Fulani militants, the objective is to drive Christians out of their ancestral lands and impose a radical Islamist ideology.”
He called on the Nigerian government to disarm militias, ensure justice, and rehabilitate displaced communities.
Smith: “Ground zero of religious violence”
Rep. Chris Smith said Christians and moderate Muslims in Nigeria are living under extreme threat.
“The most brutal and murderous anti-Christian persecution in the world occurs in Nigeria. The perpetrators operate with complete impunity.”
Smith urged urgent U.S. action, stressing that the Nigerian government must be held accountable.
“Government must take decisive action” — Experts warn
Expert witnesses highlighted the severity of the crisis and urged Congress to support firm measures that protect vulnerable religious groups.
Hartzler: “Religious freedom in Nigeria is under siege”
USCIRF Chair Hon. Vicky Hartzler delivered a sobering assessment:
“Religious freedom in Nigeria has been under siege in 2025 — and it seems to be getting worse.”
She cited the November 22 abduction of 303 children and 12 teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State, and another attack days earlier in Kwara State in which gunmen stormed a church, abducting worshippers and killing two people, including a pastor.
Hartzler said the attacks prove the situation is deteriorating rapidly and demand immediate, decisive action.
