The Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe, has told the US Congress that Nigeria remains the deadliest place on earth to be a Christian. It was part of his testimony before the US Congressional Subcommittee on Africa on Thursday, November 20, in Washington, DC.
“More believers are killed there annually than in the rest of the world combined. Yet, perpetrators face little accountability, and the Nigerian Government’s response since the CPC (Country of Particular Concern) designation is to unleash vain glory speakers and willing tools to change the narrative and make false equivalence about Muslim deaths.
“But I would like to ask the question here: Who is killing the Muslims up north? Is there any Christian militia that is displacing millions and occupying farmland in Nigeria? The government of Nigeria’s silence in the face of continued killings has deepened feelings of abandonment among the people.
“The National leadership appears disengaged, treating the Christian genocide report as a non-issue instead of considering it a national emergency. This lack of political will undermines trust in government institutions and fuels perceptions of complicity or indifference,” Bishop Anagbe told Congress.
He argued that “Without quick intervention, Christianity risks being wiped out in Northern and Middle Belt Nigeria within a very short time.”
On October 31, President Of The United States (POTUS) Donald J. Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), citing ongoing killings of Christians to justify his actions.
The Bishop, who “Thanked President Trump for his bold leadership in designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern,” had earlier this March appeared before Congress, warning that the situation in Nigeria was becoming dire and demanding urgent attention.
His house in Aondona was burnt on May 22, after his testimony, with one of his priests, Rev. Solomon Atongo, was shot and is yet to recover fully.
He mentioned abduction of priests and laity, burning of churches, and displacement of Christian communities as the daily experiences of Christians in Nigeria.
“Violence is spreading southwards, displacing millions, destroying farmlands, and creating a humanitarian crisis compounded by food insecurity.
“Attacks by Fulani herdsmen, Boko Haram, Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) have intensified not only in the Middlebelt and the north but spreading southwards and targeting Christian communities with impunity.
“We hoped that the CPC redesignation by Trump at the end of October might stabilise the situation, but it is deteriorating into one of the most lethal periods for Nigerian Christians in recent memory,” Bishop Anagbe told Congress.
According to his testimony, millions of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Middlebelt remain in camps, unable to return to their ancestral lands. This, he went on, threatens cultural continuity and religious and economic survival.
“There is psychological trauma of survival of these attacks is immense with little access to counselling and rehabilitation. Widows, orphans, and survivors face ongoing threats. Girls and women endure sexual violence,” the Bishop continued.
Bishop Anagbe, who described the designation of Nigeria as a CPC as “a serious step,” towards justuce however said ir must be “backed by serious actions,” including targeted sanctions on the Nigerian government officials and others tolerating or condoning Islamic violence in Nigeria, tied security and other development or humanitarian aide to measurable protection improvements, and expand humanitarian support for IDPs.
“The IDPs must return to their ancestral homes and lands with security guaranteed by the Nigerian government. They must also be supported to rebuild their economic livelihoods and enjoy basic services such as education and sanitation,” Bishop Anagbe told Congress.
He also urged the US government to support bills like the Nigeria Religious Accountability Act to hold perpetrators accountable.
“This point cannot be overemphasised because it is impunity that fuels the violence we suffer. Irrespective of who and who are being killed, the prime question is: Are there killings in Nigeria? And the government should stop it,” the Bishop said while calling for international pressure to impress Nigeria at the UN to ensure that “all discriminatory laws and blasphemy laws are expunged from the Constitution (of Nigeria).”
He concluded his testimony by reminding Congress of the US’s “unique role in defending religious freedom globally. Please, we want concrete actions in line with the CPC designation. We all know that inaction emboldens the extremists even more.”
