United States lawmakers have been called upon to apply renewed pressure on the Nigerian government to abolish Sharia law in northern states and dismantle the Hisbah religious-enforcement commissions, amid mounting warnings that these systems are enabling systematic anti-Christian persecution.
The appeal was made during a joint House briefing convened following President Donald Trump’s October decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for religious-freedom violations. Experts testified that violent extremist groups—including Boko Haram, ISWAP, and radicalised Fulani militants—are exploiting Sharia structures and Hisbah officials to impose ideology, enforce forced conversions, and commit abuses with near impunity.
Dr. Ebenezer Obadare, Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, told lawmakers that the U.S. must “keep up the pressure,” outlining a two-step strategy for Washington: support the Nigerian military in dismantling Boko Haram, and push President Bola Tinubu to make Sharia law unconstitutional in the twelve states that adopted it since 2000, as well as disband all Hisbah groups operating across the north.
Obadare acknowledged that recent U.S. pressure has produced limited results—including new air strikes on Boko Haram camps, the recruitment of 30,000 additional police personnel, and a declared national security emergency—but argued that far stronger measures are needed.
Claims of Religious Cleansing
The bipartisan session, led by Appropriations Vice Chair Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL) and members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, heard repeated allegations that the Nigerian government is failing to curb what witnesses described as “religious cleansing” across the north and Middle Belt.
Lawmakers cited the November 22 abduction of pupils and teachers at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State, ongoing blasphemy-law imprisonments, and mass killings. Witnesses dismissed the argument that the violence is solely tied to land or resource disputes, insisting it is rooted in religious extremism.
Obadare warned that Nigeria faces an existential threat, saying:
“The deadliest and most serious threat confronting the Nigerian state today is jihadist terror perpetrated by Boko Haram. Any proposal that does not prioritise radically degrading and ultimately eliminating Boko Haram as a fighting force is a non-starter.”
Push for Accountability
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) labelled Nigeria “ground zero” for global anti-Christian persecution, while Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) demanded the disarmament of militias and prosecution of perpetrators.
Officials from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and Alliance Defending Freedom International stressed recent atrocities and urged Washington to use sanctions, security-aid conditions, and early-warning tools to hold the Nigerian government accountable.
Congressional leaders confirmed that the Appropriations Committee is preparing a report to President Trump recommending potential conditions on U.S. assistance to Nigeria.
Trump’s Renewed CPC Designation
The briefing followed Trump’s October 31 decision to again list Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern—a designation first applied in 2020 but removed under President Joe Biden. Trump warned that the U.S. could suspend aid or even consider military action if Nigeria fails to address allegations of anti-Christian persecution.
Earlier on November 20, a House Subcommittee hearing also examined the CPC redesignation, featuring testimony from U.S. State Department officials and Nigerian religious leaders.
Senator Ted Cruz Targets Nigeria’s Sharia System
In related developments, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has announced plans to introduce legislation targeting the enforcement of Sharia and blasphemy laws in Nigeria, following Trump’s redesignation of the country as a CPC.
Source: Legit Ng
Comment here