A congressional statement titled “Ending the Persecution of Christians in Nigeria” contained the suggestion.
The statement detailed broad security, diplomatic, and economic steps that U.S. senators had suggested in response to investigations into religious violence and insecurity throughout Nigeria.
To address what they called the “persecution of Christians” and enhance the nation’s overall security infrastructure, the House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs suggested several measures.
The recommendations are a few months removed from U.S. President Donald Trump categorizing Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), a designation reserved for countries that commit chronic breaches of religious freedom.
The report, released on Monday by committee chairman Riley Moore, urged Nigeria to continue and expand security cooperation with the United States, emphasizing the importance of transitioning away from Russian military equipment in favor of American systems, which are supported through sales, financing, and joint training initiatives.
While the recommendations address a variety of issues of security reform, the focus on American defense equipment is important.
The guideline issued by the United States Congress signifies a pivotal moment in the deepening security cooperation between Washington and Abuja, although Nigeria’s response is yet to be seen.
Other recommendations from the United States to Nigeria
The report brought about other recommendations, including the blocking of beef and cattle-related exports from Nigeria as part of a broader push to pressure armed groups linked to Fulani herdsmen to disarm, following years of escalating violence in the country’s Middle Belt.
Additionally, as seen in the Punch, the committee recommended that Nigeria create a demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration program to combat illicit guns and promote safer communities while allowing farmers to practice legitimate self-defense.
It also suggested measures to counteract hostile foreign exploitation of illegal Chinese mining operations and their destabilizing practice of providing protection money to Fulani militias, as well as invoke and publicly publish CPC Presidential Directives to identify and shame perpetrators of violence.
Several other recommendations were contained in the committee’s report.
