The United States House Appropriations Committee is set to hold a joint congressional briefing on Tuesday to examine the escalating violence and targeted attacks on Christians in Nigeria, officials confirmed.
US Congressman Riley Moore, speaking via social media, said House Appropriations Committee Vice Chair and National Security Subcommittee Chairman Mario Díaz-Balart will lead the session.
Members of the Foreign Affairs and Financial Services Committees will also participate, alongside experts from the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.
“The roundtable will spotlight the escalating violence and targeted persecution of Christians in Nigeria and gather critical testimony to inform a comprehensive report,” Moore said.
The session is designed to provide lawmakers with detailed information on the security challenges facing religious minorities.
Committee officials noted that the briefing will contribute to a report directed by former President Trump on measures Congress can take to assist the White House in protecting vulnerable faith communities worldwide.
The briefing coincides with strengthened US–Nigeria security cooperation. President Bola Tinubu recently approved Nigeria’s participation in the new US–Nigeria Joint Working Group, which was established to implement security agreements from high-level discussions in Washington led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
“This initiative will enhance counterterrorism efforts, intelligence sharing, border security, and coordination on humanitarian and civilian security issues,” committee sources said.
The working group includes senior ministers and security officials from Nigeria and aims to address rising concerns over terrorism, banditry, and targeted attacks on Christians.
The session reflects increasing US scrutiny on Nigeria’s protection of religious minorities and the country’s commitment to international security partnerships.
Experts participating in the briefing are expected to provide recommendations that could inform policy decisions and strengthen joint initiatives to safeguard vulnerable communities, while also supporting broader counterterrorism and security objectives.
