United States lawmakers on Tuesday unveiled a new bill aimed at addressing religious violence in Nigeria, especially attacks on Christians, by pushing for stronger accountability from the Nigerian government.
The proposal was introduced in Washington, D.C., by Representative Riley Moore and Representative Chris Smith, along with several senior members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill seeks to ensure that Nigeria takes clear steps to protect vulnerable communities and tackle extremist threats.
The proposed law, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 (HR 7457), directs the U.S. Secretary of State to present a detailed report to Congress on actions taken to respond to religious killings and mass violence in Nigeria.
The report would examine Nigeria’s record on religious freedom, the treatment of displaced persons, the use of blasphemy laws, the prosecution of attackers, and efforts to dismantle extremist groups. It would also review how U.S. security assistance is being used.
Moore said the bill followed his recent visit to Nigeria, where he met government officials and visited areas affected by violent attacks. According to him, many Christian communities have faced deadly assaults over the years, with churches destroyed and families displaced.
He said the United States wants to work with Nigeria to confront security challenges and prevent further bloodshed.
Chris Smith, who leads the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa and has held multiple hearings on religious violence in Nigeria, said the situation has worsened over time.
He argued that denial of the problem has allowed attacks to continue. Smith stated that since Nigeria was redesignated by President Donald Trump in November 2025 as a Country of Particular Concern, the U.S. government now has a duty to ensure that proper measures are taken to address the violence.
Other lawmakers backing the bill include House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, and Mario Diaz-Balart, among others.
They said the free world cannot ignore reports of killings, kidnappings, and assaults linked to extremist groups. They added that Nigeria must take stronger action to stop the violence and protect all citizens, including Christians and non-radical Muslims.
If passed, the legislation would increase pressure on Nigeria to show clear progress in protecting religious freedom. It would require the U.S. government to closely monitor developments and report back to Congress on whether Nigeria is meeting international standards.
Following Nigeria’s redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern, Moore traveled to the country and held talks with senior officials. The discussions focused on religious violence, terrorist threats, and ways both nations could cooperate to restore peace. U.S. officials said they are ready to continue working with Nigeria but expect firm action against those responsible for attacks.
The bill reflects renewed attention from Washington over security conditions in Nigeria and signals that the issue of religious persecution will remain on the U.S. legislative agenda in the coming months.