“Radical Islamists are killing Christians in Nigeria, and the Tinubu Government is simply not doing enough to stop this religious violence.
The situation in Nigeria resonates with me both as a policymaker and a person of faith. The Christian Reformed Church of North America, which is headquartered in Grand Rapids, represents approximately 400,000 members. In Nigeria, the Christian Reformed Church Membership totals roughly 500,000. As a member of this denomination, my faith community here in West Michigan has historic ties to Nigeria, dating back to the 1920s, when missionaries began serving in what is now the Taraba State.
Nigeria must do more to protect all innocent individuals, including Christians, within its borders.
The week before Thanksgiving, the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa held a hearing on Nigeria. During the conversation, I criticized members of Congress, the American media, and the Nigerian Government for downplaying the atrocities taking place. The religious violence against Christians and moderate Muslims is outrageous.
These radicalized Islamists have attacked churches and mosques, they’ve kidnapped, killed, and intimidated religious leaders as well as people of faith, all while invoking Shari’a Law as the justification.
Last month, I sat down with Arise TV to discuss the ongoing violence in Nigeria. Sadly, I had to say the Government in Nigeria is not taking enough action to protect not only Christians, but all Nigerians. While the Tinubu Government does not see the violence and killing of Christians as a dire problem, I certainly do.
I am proud to cosponsor H Res. 860, which commends the Trump Administration for designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, while calling for the Administration to enact sanctions against individuals and entities in Nigeria who are supporting this horrific violence. Additionally, this measure calls for setting verifiable conditions on any US Aid going to Nigeria.
The United States was too late on Rwanda, too late on South Sudan; it is critical that we are not too late for Nigeria.”
