The United States Congress has again placed Nigeria’s worsening security crisis under international scrutiny, as Congressman Bill Huizenga accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration of “sitting back” and failing to take decisive action against widespread killings across the country.
Speaking during a hearing of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Sub-Committee on Africa, Huizenga delivered an emotional critique of Nigeria’s security posture, noting that Christians, moderate Muslims and countless rural communities continue to suffer “relentless violence” at the hands of terrorists, bandits, and extremist groups.
The Congressman referenced several deadly attacks — including the 2023 Christmas Eve massacre in Plateau State where more than 200 people were killed — arguing that the Tinubu administration has not demonstrated the urgency required to protect vulnerable citizens. According to him, “too many Nigerians are dying while the government sits back and does not do enough.”
The hearing, held in Washington, D.C., featured testimonies from U.S. State Department officials, human-rights experts, and Nigerian representatives led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. The session also explored whether Nigeria could be re-designated as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over alleged violations of religious freedom — a move that could affect U.S. security assistance and place sanctions on implicated officials.
During the proceedings, U.S. lawmakers questioned both the capacity and political will of Nigeria’s government to curb terrorism, banditry and religiously-targeted attacks. Some members of Congress expressed frustration that Nigerian officials often downplay the crisis when engaging with international partners, despite mounting casualty figures and persistent reports of communities being displaced.
State Department officials described Nigeria’s security situation as “very serious,” stressing that although the U.S. continues to support counter-terrorism efforts, the Nigerian government must demonstrate stronger leadership, accountability, and reforms within its security institutions.
While some panelists cautioned against framing every attack as religious persecution, the dominant sentiment at the hearing was that Nigeria’s governance shortcomings — from weak law enforcement to corruption and slow prosecutions — have allowed armed groups to operate with impunity.
For Nigeria, the congressional criticism signals rising diplomatic pressure. A CPC designation would carry political consequences, potentially affecting aid, military support, and bilateral relations. It could also intensify demands for the Tinubu administration to overhaul the country’s security architecture, restore confidence in law-enforcement agencies, and ensure justice for victims of communal violence.
As killings continue in parts of the North-West, North-Central and South-East regions, the latest comments from Washington underscore a troubling global perception: that Africa’s largest democracy is losing its grip on internal security — and must act swiftly to reverse the trend.