Nigeria Status: No Movement on Capitol Hill

Over twelve years ago, in July 2012 I attended a hearing on Capitol Hill led by Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ). Congressman Smith has been a leading advocate of placing nations that persecute Christians on the State Department CPC list. (Countries of Particular Concern). At the time Congressman Smith was attempting to convince President Barack Obama to place Nigeria on the CPC list because of severe persecution of Christians.

The President is required to annually review the status of religious freedom in every country worldwide. Any country where the government has engaged in or tolerated “particularly severe violations of religious freedom” will be designated as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).

President Obama seemingly could find no persecution of Christians in nations such as Nigeria where Christians were killed for their faith.

During the hearing in July 2012 testimony was given showing that the Fulani herdsmen were indeed terrorists who killed Christians and boasted about it. Testimony told of kidnapping, rape and murder with impunity from elected officials.

The slaughter continued with no condemnation from America until 2020 when President Trump placed Nigeria on the CPC list. Joe Biden took office in 2021 and immediately took Nigeria off the CPC list.

During the short time Nigeria was on the CPC list the attacks on Christians were greatly reduced as the Nigerian government was forced to take some action. Then, Joe Biden took Nigeria off the CPC list so that the Muslim controlled government once again had a free hand at allowing the persecution of Christians by Fulani herdsmen and other terrorist groups.

Congressman Smith has for decades worked to bring attention to stopping the persecution of Christians in various nations. His spotlight on Nigeria comes at a time when it has become a slaughterhouse for Christians.

President Trump has been forced to focus on European issues including the mess in the Ukraine ever since his inauguration in January. Prayerfully, the hearings Congressman Smith chaired will also receive the Trump Administration’s attention.

Our Heart for the Persecuted Church (H4PC) ministry remains deeply committed to serving those in Nigeria who have lost everything due to persecution.

Each month, our team visits multiple Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps to bring both physical and spiritual support to the children who now call these camps home. Many of these young ones have recently become orphans, their families brutally taken because of their unwavering faith.

To meet their most urgent needs, we’ve established a monthly financial gift program that helps provide essentials like food and education—basic needs these children would otherwise go without.

Apart from their physical aid, our ministry also invests in their spiritual nourishment. Every month, we deliver age-appropriate Bible study materials for the children to use in their “Bible Clubs,” giving them tools to grow spiritually even in the face of loss. Our volunteers also lead interactive Gospel presentations for children and adults alike, offering the message of Jesus to those who need it most.

When you invest in this ministry, you’re investing in the lives of some of the most vulnerable in Nigeria. Will you prayerfully consider partnering with us today so we can continue—and expand—this life-giving work?