US Congress and Nigerian Lawmakers Move on Rising Insecurity

United States lawmakers in Washington DC held a joint session on Tuesday to discuss the growing cases of kidnappings and reported attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria. The meeting was called after President Donald Trump, on October 31, asked the House Appropriations Committee to investigate the killings of Christians in Nigeria and provide a detailed report to the White House.

At the same time, the Nigerian House of Representatives is set to debate the country’s security situation today, as insecurity continues to spread across several states.

The US meeting, led by Representative Mario Díaz-Balart, brought together members of the House Appropriations and Foreign Affairs Committees, along with specialists on religious freedom. Lawmakers such as Robert Aderholt, Riley Moore, Brian Mast, and Chris Smith attended, as well as Vicky Hartzler of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, Sean Nelson from Alliance Defending Freedom International, and Dr Ebenezer Obadare of the Council on Foreign Relations.

During the discussions, US lawmakers voiced concern over the rising attacks on Christians in Nigeria. They described cases of kidnappings, violent raids on villages, forced conversions, and unresolved killings. Several speakers noted that many communities in Nigeria had warned of possible attacks but claimed security agencies often failed to respond. Witnesses also raised concerns about blasphemy laws in some northern states and said these laws had been used against Christians.

Some lawmakers pointed to Fulani militant attacks, Boko Haram activities, and the general breakdown of safety in parts of the country. They called for the Nigerian government to take firmer steps to stop armed groups, restore displaced families, and ensure justice for victims. Experts at the meeting argued that Boko Haram still posed the greatest danger, while urging the US to maintain pressure on Nigeria’s government to act more strongly.

The committees in the US Congress are now preparing a full report for the White House. The document will contain advice on how Congress can support measures to reduce religious attacks in Nigeria and promote safety for vulnerable groups.

The meeting in Washington comes as the US and Nigeria deepen their security partnership. President Bola Tinubu recently approved Nigeria’s delegation to a new joint working group created to strengthen cooperation on counterterrorism, intelligence, border control, and civilian safety. This followed recent US warnings about the growing threat of terrorism and banditry in Nigeria.

Also, on November 20, the US House Subcommittee on Africa held a public hearing on Trump’s decision to re-list Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” a status that could later bring penalties if officials are found guilty of ignoring religious attacks.

Back home, the Nigerian House of Representatives will today begin a debate on the state of security. This was confirmed by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu on Tuesday. Lawmakers will also consider the state police bill later this month. The member representing Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency, Mansur Soro, said the bill has already been adopted by both chambers’ constitution review committees.

Soro explained that once voting is completed, the bill will be sent to state assemblies for approval. If two-thirds of the states accept it, it will move to the President for assent. He added that state police is one of several items for constitutional amendment, along with power devolution and reserved seats for women.

Another lawmaker, Marcus Onobun from Edo State, also backed the move for state police. He noted that insecurity had become too complex for a single, centralised police structure, stating that states need more control to respond to local threats. He maintained that governors understand their areas better and can react faster if given the proper authority and legal structure.

Bamidele Salam, who heads the Public Accounts Committee, also supported state and even local police, saying decentralised security would help Nigeria tackle rising crime.

Later on Tuesday, President Tinubu met with service chiefs and heads of security agencies at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The meeting came three hours after Tinubu nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), as the new Minister of Defence, following the resignation of Abubakar Badaru.

Those present at the meeting included the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; the heads of the Army, Navy, and Air Force; the Chief of Defence Intelligence; the Director-General of the Department of State Services; and the Inspector-General of Police.

Tinubu recently declared a nationwide security emergency after a wave of abductions, announcing the recruitment of 20,000 police officers, the deployment of forest guards, and stronger security around schools and places of worship.

Abia State Governor Alex Otti was also seen at the Villa, although it was unclear if his visit was related to the meeting.

The discussions in both Washington and Abuja show growing concern at home and abroad as Nigeria faces widespread violence, rising kidnappings, and renewed attacks on religious communities.