Conflict and Persecution in Nigeria: The Case for a CPC Designation

1[House Hearing, 119 Congress]2[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]34                 CONFLICT AND PERSECUTION IN NIGERIA: THE5                       CASE FOR A CPC DESIGNATION67=======================================================================89                                HEARING1011                                 OF THE1213                         SUBCOMMITTEE ON AFRICA1415                               BEFORE THE1617                      COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS18                     U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES1920                    ONE HUNDRED EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS2122                             FIRST SESSION2324                               __________2526                             March 12, 20252728                               __________2930                            Serial No. 119-63132                               __________3334        Printed for the use of the Committee on Foreign Affairs3536                 [GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]3738Available: http://www.foreignaffairs.house.gov/, http://docs.house.gov,39                       or http://www.govinfo.gov4041                               ______4243                 U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE444560-362 PDF                WASHINGTON : 20254647                      COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS4849                    BRIAN J. MAST, Florida, Chairman5051MICHAEL T. McCAUL, Texas             GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York,52CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey         Ranking Member53JOE WILSON, South Carolina           BRAD SHERMAN, California54SCOTT PERRY, Pennsylvania            GERALD E. CONNOLLY, Virginia55DARRELL ISSA, California             WILLIAM R. KEATING, Massachusetts56TIM BURCHETT, Tennessee              AMI BERA, California57MARK E. GREEN, Tennessee             JOAQUIN CASTRO, Texas58ANDY BARR, Kentucky                  DINA TITUS, Nevada59RONNY JACKSON, Texas                 TED LIEU, California60YOUNG KIM, California                SARA JACOBS, California61MARIA ELVIRA SALAZAR, Florida        SHEILA CHERFILUS-McCORMICK,62BILL HUIZENGA, Michigan                  Florida63AUMUA AMATA COLEMAN RADEWAGEN,       GREG STANTON, Arizona64    American Samoa                   JARED MOSKOWITZ, Florida65WARREN DAVIDSON, Ohio                JONATHAN L. JACKSON, Illinois66JAMES R. BAIRD, Indiana              SYDNEY KAMLAGER-DOVE, California67THOMAS H. KEAN, JR, New Jersey       JIM COSTA, California68MICHAEL LAWLER, New York             GABE AMO, Rhode Island69CORY MILLS, Florida                  KWEISI MFUME, Maryland70KEITH SELF, Texas                    PRAMILA JAYAPAL, Washington71RYAN ZINKE, Montana                  GEORGE LATIMER, New York72JAMES C. MOYLAN, Guam                JOHNNY OLSZEWSKI Jr., Maryland73ANNA PAULINA LUNA, Florida           JULIE JOHNSON, Texas74JEFFERSON SHREVE, Indiana            SARAH McBRIDE, Delaware75SHERI BIGGS, South Carolina          BRADLEY SCOTT SCHNEIDER, Illinois76MICHAEL BAUMGARTNER, Washington      MADELEINE DEAN, Pennsylvania77RYAN K. MACKENZIE, Pennsylvania7879              James Langenderfer, Majority Staff Director80                 Sajit Gandhi, Minority Staff Director8182                                 ------8384                         SUBCOMMITTEE ON AFRICA8586               CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey, Chairman8788MARIA ELVIRA SALAZAR, Florida89RONNY JACKSON, Texas                 SARA JACOBS, California, Ranking90BILL HUIZENGA, Michigan                  Member91AUMUA AMATA COLEMAN RADEWAGEN,       SHEILA CHERFILUS-McCORMICK,92    American Samoa                       Florida93JIM BAIRD, Indiana                   JONATHAN JACKSON, Illinois94                                     PRAMILA JAYAPAL, Washington95                                     JOHNNY OLSZEWSKI, Maryland9697                 Joe Foltz, Subcommittee Staff Director9899                         C  O  N  T  E  N  T  S100101                              ----------102103                            REPRESENTATIVES104105                                                                   Page106Opening Statement of Subcommittee Chairman Christopher Smith.....     1107Opening Statement of Subcommittee Ranking Member Sara Jacobs.....     4108Opening Statement of Representative Pramila Jayapal..............     6109110                               WITNESSES111112Statement of Nina Shea, Senior Fellow and Director, Center for113  Religious Freedom, Hudson Institute............................     8114  Prepared Statement.............................................    12115Statement of Tony Perkins, Former Chair, U.S. Commission on116  International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), Current President,117  Family Research Council........................................    19118  Prepared Statement.............................................    22119Statement of Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, Bishop of Makurdi Diocese,120  Nigeria, Roman Catholic Church.................................    26121  Prepared Statement.............................................    31122Statement of Oge Onubogu, Director, Africa Program, The Wilson123  Center.........................................................    35124  Prepared Statement.............................................    39125126                                APPENDIX127128Hearing Notice...................................................    70129Hearing Minutes..................................................    72130Hearing Attendance...............................................    73131132                        Materials for the Record133134Paused/Terminated Nigeria Programs, submitted by Rep. Jacobs.....    74135Case of Sunday Jackson: A Gross Miscarriage of Justice in136  Nigeria, submitted by Rep. Smith...............................    84137U.S. Must Acknowledge and Address Religious Persecution in138  Nigeria, submitted by Rep. Smith...............................    96139140                 CONFLICT AND PERSECUTION IN NIGERIA: THE141                       CASE FOR A CPC DESIGNATION142143                              ----------144145                       Wednesday, March 12, 2025146147                  House of Representatives,148                            Subcommittee on Africa,149                              Committee on Foreign Affairs,150                                                    Washington, DC.151152    The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 9:07 a.m., in153room 2200, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Christopher154Smith (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding.155    Mr. Smith. The subcommittee will come to order. The purpose156of this hearing is to discuss the deteriorating State of157religious freedom in Nigeria, and the urgent need to158redesignate Nigeria as a country of particular concern pursuant159to the International Religious Freedom Act. I would like to160recognize myself for an opening statement and will yield to my161friend and colleague, Ms. Jacobs, for any opening comments she162might have and members of the subcommittee.163164        OPENING STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN CHRISTOPHER SMITH165166    According to the Catholic News Agency and EWTN News, quote,167``Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama is concerned over the seemingly168endless violence against Christians that has claimed at least16958 lives this past weekend and hundreds of others in recent170weeks. It is our prayer, he said, that something definitive171will be done to stop the situation that is inhuman.''172    Shockingly, that was more than a dozen years ago and part173of my opening remarks at a hearing that I held on July 10,1742012. One of several hearings, eight in all, on religious175persecution in Nigeria. Since then, things have only gotten176worse.177    One year later in 2013, I visited Archbishop Kaigama in178Jos, Nigeria. We visited churches, five of them, that had been179recently firebombed by Boko Haram, and spent hours listening to180survivors tell their stories.181    Despite their numbing loss and pain, I was absolutely182amazed at the survivors' faith, very deep faith, their courage,183and their resilience. They were not going to quit, but they184were looking to the government for help, and it was not coming.185    I also met with an evangelical believer named Habila Adamu186dragged from his home by Boko Haram terrorists, he was ordered187to renounce his faith. With an AK-47 pressed to his face he was188asked: Are you ready to die as a Christian? With extraordinary189courage, Habila answered: Yes, I am ready to die as a190Christian. He was asked a second time, and he repeated his191answer. His wife was pleading: Please don't kill my husband,192and yet he said: Yes, I am ready to die as a Christian. This193time the terrorists pulled the trigger. A bullet ripped through194Habila's face, he crumpled to the ground, bleeding profusely195left for dead. By some miracle he survived.196    I met him in an IDP camp in Jos. I asked him to come to197Washington to tell his story. He did. And at the direction of198the hearing, he said this to our subcommittee, this199subcommittee: I am alive because God wants you to have this200message--knowing Christ is so much deeper than merely knowing201Boko Haram's story of hate and intolerance. He closed his202testimony with this: Do everything you can to end this ruthless203religious persecution, but know Christ first.204    To the end, everything he did was to witness, to radiate205his love for God, but he was also calling on us to get involved206and do something.207    Since then, however, the wanton violence against Christians208in Nigeria has grown significantly worse.209    A couple days ago the Pillar Catholic reported, and I210quote, ``While Christians were receiving ashes last Wednesday211to begin Lent, news broke in Nigeria that a priest had been212brutally murdered by kidnappers, who had stormed his rectory213the night before and kidnapped him.''214    ``With deep sorrow and righteous indignation, I condemn in215the strongest terms the relentless and tragic wave of216kidnappings--, targeting priests, pastoral agents, and the217faithful,'' Bishop Kundi said in a March 7--just a couple days218ago--press conference in which he expressed outrage over the219kidnapping and the brutal murder of his priests.220    According to the sources in the Diocese, Father Sylvester221was bound by his kidnappers. He was shot in the head--and I saw222the picture. It is heartbreaking to look at--shot at close223range with an assault rifle according to the officials of his224Diocese.225    The systematic slaughter and abuse of Nigerian believers226must stop. Delay is denial--and a death sentence to so many.227    One of our distinguished witnesses today, Bishop Wilfred228Anagbe of the Diocese of Makurdi, Nigeria, traveled a long229distance to be with us today and will testify. This is from his230testimony: ``Militant Fulani herdsman are terrorists. They231steal and vandalize. They kill and boast about it. They kidnap232and rape. They enjoy total impunity for this from the elected233officials. None of them''--I repeat his quote--``none of them234have been arrested and brought to justice.''235    In December 2020, President Trump designated Nigeria as a236country of particular concern only to be reversed without237justification by Secretary Blinken in November 2021.238    I know I asked him at hearings. I asked him privately, but239I also asked him at open hearings. Why? I never got a good240answer.241    Religious leaders in Nigeria were outraged by the242Secretary's decision. One Nigerian bishop challenged the243Secretary and said: Christian persecution is more intense than244ever. That was Bishop Mamza.245    Genocide Watch has called Nigeria ``a killing field of246defenseless Christians.'' Quote, unquote.247    Yet-- the government of Nigeria has failed to make progress248against religiously motivated persecution of Christians,249despite religious freedom being enshrined as an essential human250right in their Constitution.251    Likewise, Nigeria's legal framework supports pluralism at252both Federal and State levels, but glaring contradictions253exist, especially with laws that criminalize blasphemy--some254even carrying the death penalty.255    The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom,256USCIRF, was quote, ``Appalled that the State Department did not257redesignate Nigeria as a country of particular concern. USCIRF258had recommended--and we have the former Chairman here, Tony259Perkins--had recommended this designation 4 years in a row from2602021 to 2024 and said, quote, there is no justification as to261why the State Department continues to fail to designate Nigeria262as a CPC.263    Again, CPC, as you know, carries significant sanctions. A264whole broad array of sanctions that the President and the265Secretary of State are empowered to level on the country that266commits persecution.267    When the former Secretary of State Blinken held a joint268press conference with the Nigerian Prime Minister on January26923, 2024, following the Christmas Eve Massacre which targeted270killings by radical Fulani terrorists took the lives of271hundreds of Christians. He did offer his condolences, and I272watched him, and I was glad to see that. But we need to take it273beyond just saying, I feel sorry for you.274    These Christian killings reoccurred the following year just2753 three months ago.276    Make no mistake, these ongoing attacks are based on277religion. Diverting attention from it tonight--let me just say278parenthetically, I tried for 3 years to get the Obama279administration to designate Boko Haram as an FTO of the Obama280administration a Foreign Terrorist Organization. I held hearing281after hearing, and they wouldn't do it. On the days I was282marking up my legislation to do just that, the State Department283said, oh, we are going to designate them as a FTO. That was for284all the crimes they were committing. Later it was the Chibok285girls. It was all the other atrocities being committed by Boko286Haram. They wouldn't even give them FTO status so we could287start investigating where they get their money, their weapons,288and the like.289    Make no mistake, all of these attacks are based on290religion, like I said, and diverting attention from it denies291what we have seen with our own eyes. This is religious292cleansing. It needs to stop and the perpetrators need to be293brought to justice.294    Last year the House Foreign Affairs Committee did adopt my295resolution, H.Res. 82, calling on the Biden administration to296redesignate Nigeria as a country of particular concern. It297passed exactly 1 year ago, almost a year ago, in the committee298but it never came to the floor.299    While I strongly believe that President Trump will again300designate Nigeria as a CPC and do much more to assist the301persecuted church, including the outreach to Nigerian President302Tinuba. Last night I did reintroduce the resolution. And I hope303we will have a robust debate, and it will get marked up.304    Help can't come fast enough. The killing fields are every305day, every single day. And we need to do more and do everything306within our power to try to mitigate it.307    Let's not forget horrifying facts: Northern Nigeria--and308this is just Northern Nigeria alone has seen the destruction of309over 18,000 churches since 2009. 18,000 churches. I saw five of310them totally burnt out, and many people killed with car bombs311and the like.312    An August 2024 report from the Observatory for Religious313Freedom in Africa found that 55,910 people were killed and31421,000 people were abducted in a context of terror groups in315Nigeria within just 4 years from October 2019 to September3162023.317    I would point out that approximately 34,000 are moderate318Muslims that would have been murdered in Islamic attacks. And319we speak out for them as well. I have met with Imams in320Nigeria. And if they speak, they are visited that following321week by one of these radical Islamist groups, and it is not322pretty. They will kill them or do other kinds of mischief.323    About 5 million Christians have been displaced and forced324into internally displaced prison camps, IDP camps, within325Nigeria.326    The 2023 Watch List released in January by Open Doors this327past January found that 89 percent of Christians--89 percent of328the Christians martyred the world are in one country, Nigeria.329The target of violence starkly highlights the precarious State330of religious freedom in Nigeria.331    Again, we are asking the President Tinubu--he has got to332take action. And we are going to--you know, I am hoping to lead333a delegation to Nigeria. We have got to raise these issues, but334it starts at the top.335    You know, I have been to Abuja many times. The President336has real power, he can do it, and we are calling on him to do337that.338    Let me also say that--and I will put the rest of my339statement into the record--but this hearing we are hoping will340be a catalyst for action by our own government and also by341Congress and, of course, above all, the executive branch. You342know, the new President has a lot to do, and I think he will do343this, and then if necessary impose sanctions.344    Where that has happened, there is change. Where it doesn't345happen, that status quo, the killing fields continue.346    I would like to yield to Ms. Jacobs for any opening347comments she might have.348349        OPENING STATEMENT OF RANKING MEMBER SARA JACOBS350351    Ms. Jacobs. Well, thank you, Chairman Smith, and to all the352witnesses for testifying today on conflict and religious353persecution in Nigeria. I think all of us here know that the354African continent is at a pivotal moment. The continent is the355youngest in the world. And in Nigeria alone 70 percent of the356population if is under 35, and 40 percent is under 15. So it357represents the future generations who will continue to lead and358solve the world's challenges.359    Nigeria has a unique position as a bellwether, as Africa's360largest economy, most populous Nation, and a significant actor361in the region and on the world stage.362    Meanwhile, Nigeria is facing its own challenges like rising363insecurities, shrinking freedom of expression, and the364struggling economy, which are preventing the country from365experiencing long-term stability and prosperity.366    That is why I am glad this subcommittee is convening a367hearing to discuss some of the challenges facing Nigeria. And I368hope we can use this as an opportunity discuss how the United369States can use its is full range of tools to help address370conflict and violence across the country.371    Nigeria is facing multiple different security challenges in372various parts of the country, including violent extremist373groups, criminal banditry, farmer/herder conflict, and374religiously motived violence.375    Several factors are driving thing these conflicts. Yes,376religion is a factor, but other dynamics like climate change,377population pressures, and governance challenges are important378drivers that need to be addressed as well.379    For example, in northeast where Boko Haram and ISIS West380Africa are active, decades of marginalization and oversecurized381responses have led to human rights abuses and instigated and382exacerbated the conflict.383    I actually worked on Nigeria when I was at the State384Department, and I have seen that for years governance385challenges like corruption, marginalization, and impunity have386driven violence and conflict.387    A history of marginalization and limited access to basic388needs in central and northern Nigeria and among different389ethnic groups have created grievances that school further390violence.391    So we must address these fundamental challenges to ensure392stabilization and security and prevent violence in the long-393term.394    I am also concerned by the State of freedom of religion or395belief in Nigeria. However, we need to be careful in our396characterization of this complex challenge. Roughly half of the397population of Nigeria is Muslim. While the other half is398Christian. And violations of this freedom impact both groups.399Oversimplistic narratives about the violence perpetuate harmful400stereotypes and motivate tensions and violence based on401religious identity.402    On the question of a potential country of particular403concern designated for Nigeria, the Trump administration should404make a determination based on the criteria provided in the405International Religious Freedom Act. But we cannot ignore the406other tools in our toolbox, especially foreign assistance which407has been effective at supporting Nigerians with addressing the408key drivers of conflict and religious freedom violations.409    For years, the United States has supported Nigerian410institution's civil society, faith-based leaders, and411researchers to address the conflict violence, and religious412freedom challenges. But, unfortunately, President Trump has413canceled hundreds of millions of dollars in these programs,414leaving the United States less equipped to address the topic of415today's hearing.416    Trump canceled all of our peace democracy and governance417activities worth $74 million. These programs helped improve418early response to conflict, bolster the justice system, and419facilitate dialog. He canceled all of our education and420economic growth programs, altogether totaling nearly $170421million. These projects were getting at the root cause of422conflict and violence across the country. And that is not to423mention all of the canceled humanitarian assistance that was424helping those who survived war and conflict.425    Trump's aid freeze has closed clinics and left over 2426million Nigerians without access to HIV medication. In total,427President Trump canceled 54 foreign assistance programs just in428Nigeria.429    Mr. Chair, I request unanimous consent to submit a document430listing all paused or terminated programs in Nigeria into the431record.432    Mr. Smith. Sure.433434    [Please refer to the Appendix for this information:]435436    Ms. Jacobs. Thank you. So if we want the United States to437help improve conflict in Nigeria, we can't pull back and438eliminate our toolbox, which is exactly what the Trump439administration is doing.440    So I hope that during this hearing we can hear more about441what the United States can actually do to support Nigerians in442a whole of government approach to address conflict and violence443and protect religious freedom. Thank you. I yield back.444    Mr. Smith. Thank you. Ms. Jayapal?445446              OPENING STATEMENT OF PRAMILA JAYAPAL447448    Ms. Jayapal. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I welcome the449witnesses, and I thank you for your testimony. Nigeria is450Africa's largest economy and most populous country. It is a451critical player in the region, and maintaining a strong U.S.-452Nigeria relationship based on shared values is essential.453    Nigeria is a diverse country with hundreds of ethnic and454linguistic groups and has one of the largest populations of455Christians in Africa. Countries split nearly evenly between456Muslims in the north and Christians in the south. In 2023, over4573,500 people were kidnapped, almost 9,000 were killed in458conflict. So the work that must be done includes essential459efforts to bring these diverse communities together and460strengthen governance to end corruption and violence.461    It is both logical and necessary for the United States to462fund projects in Nigeria that engage local communities to463create space for interfaith dialog and address the root causes464of violence, such as access to resources, education, and465healthcare with the nuance that they deserve.466    These are not trivial, unnecessary projects, this is the467work that has to be done to stabilize a country, to bring468humanitarian assistance to those caught in the midst of469violence and conflict and extremism and bring about peace.470    Let me be clear that the mass cancellation of USAID471projects and the dismantling of USAID by the Trump472administration will only worsen this violence and weaken the473institutions needed to combat extremism before it reaches our474borders.475    Before the reckless actions of the Trump administration,476the United States was the largest donor to the humanitarian477response in Nigeria, but the administration's attack on foreign478assistance, on diversity initiatives, and so-called woke-ism479are weakening the very tools that we need to address these480complex crises.481    I am looking forward to hearing from our witnesses and482discussing more the situation, what the United States can do to483make sure that we remain a strong partner in supporting the484governance of Nigeria. I thank you, and I yield back.485    Mr. Smith. Thank you. I would like to welcome our very486distinguished panel and thank them for taking the time to be487here, and traveling a long distance, Bishop. I am looking488forward to your testimony because we need your insights as we489proceed forward.490    Let me first begin by introducing Nina Shea, a Senior491Fellow of the Hudson Institute where she directs the Center For492Religious Freedom, an entity she founded back in 1986. Ms. Shea493has been a human rights lawyer for over 30 years who works494extensively for the advancement of individual religious freedom495and other human rights and U.S. foreign policy. She has been a496frequent witness--before the House and Senate-- on a myriad of497countries and issues, especially China and it's egregious human498rights abuses, particularly as it relates to religious freedom.499    Beginning in 1999, she was appointed for seven terms by the500U.S. House to serve as a commissioner on the U.S. Commission on501International Religious Freedom. She was appointed as a U.S.502delegate to the U.N.'s main human rights body by both503Republicans and Democrat administrations.504    A lawyer by training, she undertakes analysis and strategic505advocacy regarding religious freedom as a component of U.S.506foreign policy.507    Her first client before the U.N. was Soviet Nobel Peace508Prize Andrei Sakharov. She was also the principal leader of the509coalition for International Religious Freedom Act in 1998. She510initiated the executive order on advancing religious freedom,511directing the prioritization of religious freedom in U.S.512foreign policy, which was signed by President Trump on June 2,5132020. She co-authored three books on religious persecution,514including silenced: How Apostacy and Blasphemy Codes are515choking freedom worldwide. She writes frequently in the Wall516Street Journal, National Review, and elsewhere.517    We will then hear from Tony Perkins who is president of the518Family Research Council. He's also the former chair of the U.S.519Commission on International Religious Freedom. Prior to joining520FRC in August 2003, he served in the Louisiana legislature521where he was a leading pro-life, pro-family voice. During his522tenure, he expanded the organization to reach beyond Washington523and has made a huge network of churches overseas, which really524are speaking up for--not just for faith, but for freedom, and I525appreciate that.526    In 2018, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell appointed Tony to527the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. In May5282020, he was reappointed, and he served as both chair and vice529chair of that very important commission, which was created by530the International Religious Freedom Act in 1998.531    Then we will hear from his Excellency, Bishop Wilfred532Anagbe. Bishop of Makurdi Diocese in Benue State of Nigeria.533Thank you for traveling all this way to be here, Bishop. A very534long route. We deeply appreciate that.535    He entered religious life as a Claretian missionary and has536carried out many administrative duties of the order. He was537ordained as a priest on August 6, 1994, and then by Pope538Francis on October 4, 2014, Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi539to be a bishop. His motto is to serve Jesus and the Brethren.540    The diocese that he leads is where the worse of the violent541persecution in Nigeria is occurring by Militant Fulani, causing542the highest number of displaced people living in internally543displaced person camps. As a matter of fact, those camps are544the source of daily attacks by the Militant Islamic extremists.545    One of the things that I have raised with Nigerian546leaders--and I hope that the U.S. President will raise it547himself is that if Nigerians had an act of some kind, such as548theft, murder, or anything, and you call the police, they don't549show up. That is what is happening throughout Nigeria. The550delay becomes denial, and then there is no investigation, and551nobody is held accountable. It is unbelievable that can exist,552but it does. So thank you Bishop for, again, for bearing553witness to a very ugly truth.554    We will then hear from Ms. Onubogu. Onubogu--who is the555African Program Director at the Wilson Center. She is a556governance and democracy professional with nearly two decades557of experience on Africa and U.S.-Africa relations, including558working with African governance, international partners, civil559society, academia, and the private sector.560    She most recently was the director of the West Africa561program at the U.S. Institute of Peace where she led the562strategic development and expansion of USIP's portfolio and in563Nigeria and coastal West Africa. In this position, she oversaw564the design and implementation of projects to mitigate violent565conflict, promote inclusion, and strengthen community arts and566security by partnering with African U.S. policymakers, civic567leaders, and organizations.568    I would like now to turn the floor over to Ms. Nina Shea,569and thank you--all of your statements in their entirety will be570made a part of the record without objection. Please take the571time that is necessary. We are not in a hurry, we want to hear572from you. So please make sure that you can convey your thoughts573to us.574575                     STATEMENT OF NINA SHEA576577    Ms. Shea. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, Representative578Jacobs, and members of the subcommittee for prioritizing579conflict and persecution in Nigeria as your very first hearing580of this subcommittee for this session. And, Chairman Smith, you581have been a congressional hero to legions of victims of582persecution around the world, and congratulations on your583leadership on this subcommittee and your chairmanship.584    My testimony will focus on the persecution of Christian585farming communities by Militant Fulani Muslim herders. In the586interest of time, I will not address the Islamist terror groups587that are already designated as terrorists and sanctioned by the588U.S. Government. They include Boko Haram and the Islamic State589of West Africa, which attacks Nigerians of all faith590backgrounds.591    Nigeria now ranks sixth out of 66 on the just released 2025592Global Terrorism Index. Nigeria is the world's deadliest593country for Christians, according to the respected group Open594Doors. Currently, Militant groups of nomadic Fulani Muslim595herders are reported by the U.S. Commission on International596Religious Freedom, among others to be the greatest threat to597Nigerian Christians, particularly those that we are now seeing598in the Middle Belt farming communities.599    In Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, and other Middle Belt states,600thousands of Christians have been killed, maimed, and raped,601and millions of them have been driven from their lands and are602now homeless due to Fulani attacks. This is the heart of603Nigeria's bread basket. And as their farming families are604slaughtered or forced to flee, the region's suffering is605compounded by growing mass hunger.606    Moreover, the targeted indigenous people, the Middle Belt607Christian communities face the Nigerian Government's decision608to tolerate this persecution.609    The Federal Government in Abuja remains passive in the610faith of desperate cries for help. The U.N. High Commissioner611for Refugees, reports of Mimi, one of two million IDPs,612internally displaced persons in Benue State. She survived a613Fulani attack 3 years ago, while her family was tending the yam614fields on her farm.615    It reports when they looked up, they saw armed men. There616was no time to run. The men raped and killed Mimi's 11-year-old617daughter. Mimi herself was raped, and her husband was killed. A618hunter later found her injured and unconscious and helped her619into the bush. They hid her there for 2 days before it was safe620enough for him to bring her to the camp. There she received621medical treatment and reunited with her two sons, now age 12622and 15.623    I lost everything, says Miami. If you go to my village,624everything has been burned down. I cannot farm any longer, and625it is not only me, we all went through these things.626    The government allows Fulani violence to continue with627impunity. There is broad concern that this reflects a plan to628forcibly Islamize Nigeria in violation of its secular629Constitution. Last week the Nigerian Catholic Bishop's630Conference released a letter expressing deep concern that some631of the 12 northern states that impose Sharia law ordered632Catholic and other Christian schools closed for 5 weeks and633forced observance of Ramadan. And they cited the Constitution's634guarantee of a secular State.635    Over the last generation, a portion of the Fulani nomadic636herder population has become well-armed with automatic weapons637and aggressive in targeting undefended Christians in Nigeria's638Middle Belt farming areas. Various observers on the ground639assert that the Fulani Militants are not attacking to graze640cattle, as some maintain, but rather to drive out the641Christians from their ancestral land and to take control of642land of villages in larger geographic areas.643    The UNHCR report above states, quote: Nearly all the 3,790644residents of Ichwa IDP camp and many other camps dotted around645Benue State were smallholder farmers forced here by violent646land grabs.647    A Benue Catholic priest told reporters: It is all about648seizing the land and changing the demography of Benue State.649The Fulani terrorists want to seize the fertile lands of Benue,650chase away the people from the land, and occupy the land for651themselves, he said.652    A 2023 study by Nigerian scholars on Plateau State found653the great majority of Plateau's indigenous people from non-654Fulani ethnic groups believe that Fulani violence is motivated655by land grabbing, jihad, and Fulanization; compared with656smaller percentages who blame cattle rustling. Cattle rustling657does occur, but Fulani attacks are indiscriminate and devaState658entire Christian villages.659    Ignoring citizens' appeal for help, Nigeria's Government660fails to effectively stop these attacks. Take Benue where661Catholic priests and other Christians were recently abducted in662Fulani raids. A priest identified to the press three key areas663along the Benue River, and he names them. It is in my664testimony. Where Fulani terrorists cross from Nasarawa State to665attack overwhelmingly Christian villages in Benue.666    The government ignores church pleas to place military posts667near these known hotspots or have naval patrols on the river of668Benue, priests tell me.669    Or Kaduna, where on February 26, TruthNigeria reported over670200 Christians are being held hostage, starved, and tortured in671a camp near an Army base in a wooded area off the busy Kaduna-672Abuja expressway. It came to light when 3 months after being673abducted from their homes, eight hostages in dire condition674were released after a ransom payment equivalent to 27,000 U.S.675dollars. They had been chained, whipped, and starved and676referred to as infidels by captives speaking the Fulani's677Fulfulde language. They witnessed others dying from starvation678or shot dead when the randoms didn't come. And as far as we679know, it is still there.680    Just last weekend, a Christian from Adamawa State, Sunday681Jackson. Had a death penalty upheld by the high court of682Nigeria in self-defense killing an attacker on his property.683    The pontifical Aid to the Church in Need counts scores of684priest kidnappings in Nigeria with over 20 murdered in recent685years. Seven Catholic priests have been kidnapped since686January.687    A week ago, Father Sylvester of St. Mary's Church in Kaduna688was kidnapped and slain. Two pastors in Kaduna and Gombe States689with the Evangelical Church of Winning All were murdered this690year already.691    Abuja's Archbishop Kaigama strongly criticized the692escalating kidnappings of Catholic priests, citing, quote:693``Poor leadership at all levels, local government, State694government, and Federal Government.''695    Some conclude that Abuja's passivity, including failing to696even to collect data on the attacks shows government697complicity. The board chair of the Nigerian private group698International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law699is among them.700    The State Department report on international religious701freedom solely gives a neo-Marxian, materialistic theory for702Fulani aggression. It describes the relentless attacks against703Christian farming families on their own farms and violence704against priests and pastors in their church and rectories as705clashes between two rural socio-economic groups fighting over706scarce natural resources a result of climate change. It ignores707the evidence. It overlooks possible radicalization of Fulani708herdsmen who travel across porous borders in the Sahel and709Northeastern Nigeria, regions recognized by the U.S. Government710as terror hotbeds. It shows no concern for their automatic711weapons distributed reportedly by the Miyetti groups, the712cattle breeders, lobbying association members.713    It disregards the Nigerian Government's toleration of this714violence by allowing it to continue with impunity.715    I therefore urge Congress to call for the State Department716as a first step to designate Nigeria as a country of particular717concern. I am certain that the U.S. Commission on International718Religious Freedom will soon renew its recommendation of CPC719designation for Nigeria.720    Placing Nigeria on the U.S.' short list of the world's most721egregious religious freedom violators is warranted and would be722a foundation for further human rights initiatives by the new723administration here. It is the law. It is standing up for724religious freedom. It is part of American exceptionalism. It is725part of our heritage, our tradition, and our Constitution to726respect the unalienable right of religious freedom. That727concludes my testimony. Thank you.728    [The prepared statement of Ms. Shea follows:]729730[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]731732    Mr. Smith. Ms. Shea, thank you so very much for your733testimony and for your decades of dedication to this important734issue. Mr. Perkins.735736                   STATEMENT OF TONY PERKINS737738    Mr. Perkins. Thank you, Mr. Chairman--and Chairman Smith,739Ranking Member Jacobs, and members of the subcommittee. First,740let me thank you for your opening comments. It is refreshing to741see we have agreement. We understand that there is a problem,742and now coming to a solution is our challenge. So thank you for743your insight.744    I want to thank you for the opportunity to testify this745morning. My name is Tony Perkins. I served as a commissioner on746the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom from7472018 to 2022. And as the chairman said, I served as both chair748and vice chair.749    From my time on USCIRF, I can tell you with certainty that750the world is not paying enough attention to the growing751humanitarian disaster in Nigeria. Now despite its strategic752importance as Africa's most populous country, these warning753lights are flashing because of this systematic religious754persecution driven primarily by Islamists, and it is going755unaddressed.756    Christians are the primary targets. They are murdered,757kidnapped, raped, and terrorized on almost a daily basis as has758already been discussed. The numbers are staggering, the759brutality is unspeakable, and the silence from global leaders760is deafening.761    Let me share just one recent example. On February 9, Fulani762terrorists armed with AK-47s--these are not hunting rifles,763these are rifles designed to kill. I served--probably after764coming out of the Marine Corps, I worked with the State765Department and antiterrorism. I am very familiar with the mode766and operation of terrorists--they stormed a village in Gombe767State. They first seized the 9-year-old boy from the Puma768family and demanded ransom.769    They then sought out the Reverend Bala Galadima's home.770They found him. They broke into his home. They demanded money.771He pleaded with them saying that he had none, but he offered772them what he had. He had grain, so he offered them grain. They773refused. They shot him three times, killing him. Sadly, this is774not an isolated incident.775    In late January, Boko Haram launched a series of776coordinated attacks on Christian villages in Chibok. The same777region where 276 schoolgirls were kidnapped in 2014. Mr.778Chairman, you will remember that. We discussed it then. In779fact, many of those girls remain captives to this day.780    The terrorists set homes and churches ablaze, destroyed781livestock, and demanded that Christians convert or they die.782More than 4,000 believers have been forced to plea for their783lives in recent weeks alone.784    As has been mentioned, according to Open Doors, more785Christians are murdered for their faith in Nigeria than any786other country in the world. In 2024 alone, 3,100 Christians787were killed. 2,830 were kidnapped. These are not just numbers.788These are fathers, they are mothers, they are children, they789are families.790    The case of Leah Sharibu underscores the horror of this791crisis. Leah was just 14 years old when Boko Haram kidnapped792her and 108 other girls from their school in 2018. The793terrorists eventually released all the girls except Leah. Why?794Because she refused to renounce her Christian faith.795    Reports suggest she is still alive and now held as a prize796by her captors as she has been forced to bear children in797captivity.798    As a commission on than the U.S. Commission on799International Religious Freedom, I met with her family multiple800times and worked with the previous administration to track her;801hopefully trying to gain her freedom. We were not successful.802    This is what religious persecution in Nigeria looks like.803It is violent, it is brutal, and it is worsening. In 2020, the804Trump administration, based on recommendations from USCIRF--and805I was a part of that leadership team--Nigeria was designated as806a country of particular concern. This was an essential step,807recognizing the Nigerian Government was failing to protect808religious minorities from systematic violence.809    Yet in 2021, the Biden administration inextricably removed810Nigeria's CPC designation despite the fact that attacks against811Christians had increased.812    Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken later suggested in813a meeting with USCIRF members, which I was present, that these814massacres were caused by climate change. That desperate Fulani815herders were simply looking for pasture land.816    Let me be clear, this is not about climate change. It is817about a violent extremist ideology that seeks to eliminate818Christianity from Nigeria's northern and central regions. The819evidence is undeniable. This is systematic religious violence.820    The U.S. Government must act, and they must act now.821Nigeria must be redesignated a country of particular concern.822Biden administration's removal of this designation was a823reckless mistake that emboldened the very terrorists who are824slaughtering Christians. The evidence overwhelmingly meets the825legal threshold under the International Religious Freedom Act826of 1998, which requires CPC status for governments that engage827in or tolerate, tolerate severe violations of religious828freedom. That is exactly what Nigeria's government has done. It829has failed to protect all of its citizens from religious830violence.831    The U.S. must impose consequences. Under the International832Religious Freedom Act, the President has the authority to take833action against CPC-designated nations, including economic834penalties. The U.S. should apply targeted sanctions against835Nigerian officials who are complicit in religious persecution,836as well as suspend certain trade benefits until concrete837actions are taken to protect all Nigerians.838    Religious freedom protection must be tied to U.S.-Nigerian839relations. The administration should make it clear that840Nigeria's treatment of religious minorities will directly841impact diplomatic and economic relations, including trade842agreements and security assistance.843    And, finally, the U.S. must reappoint a strong, high-844profile Ambassador for international religious freedom.845    During the first Trump administration, this role was used846effectively under the leadership of Ambassador Sam Brown back847to apply global pressure on persecuting nations. The momentum848for that must be regained.849    In closing, Mr. Chairman, it is time for the United States850to send an unmistakable message, to draw a red line:--the851slaughter of Christians and other religious minorities in852Nigeria will not be tolerated. If Nigeria continues to allow853terrorists to burn churches, execute pastures, and kidnap854schoolgirls with impunity, there must be consequences.855    This is not just about Nigeria, it is about the future of856religious freedom, the stability of Africa, the moral857credibility of the United States. If we fail to act, make no858mistake about it, this crisis will spread. Refugees will flood859into neighboring countries. Terrorists will grow bolder. And860America's silence will embolden jihadists worldwide.861    Chairman Smith, members of the committee, thank you for862helping raise awareness of the need to redesignate Nigeria's a863country of particular concern. The world is watching, but more864importantly, the religious persecution, and those who are the865victims of that in Nigeria are watching. And they are waiting866to see if America will stand with them and for them. Thank you,867Mr. Chairman.868    [The prepared statement of Mr. Perkins follows:]869870[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]871872    Mr. Smith. Thank you very much, Mr. Perkins, for your873testimony and your leadership as well. And your work on the874Religious Freedom Commission was legendary.875    We do have Maureen Ferguson here with us today who is a876commissioner on the Religious Freedom Commission. Dominick877Cuozzo whose a pastor from my district who is very involved878with religious freedom issues. Thank you for being here.879    And I would like to just point out David Trimball is here880as well from RFI. When I did the bill in 2019, it was a881religious freedom--Frank Wolf. We named it after Frank Wolf.882Got it passed in the Senate. It was dead in the water on the883Senate side, and he did so much to get it passed. And I want to884thank him for that because otherwise it would have just another885House passed bill like we all know. It goes over to the Senate,886and that is the graveyard of legislation. But I want to thank887him for what he did to get through.888    I would like to now recognize and again thank him profusely889for traveling here and at great risk. Bishop, the floor is890yours.891892               STATEMENT OF BISHOP WILFRED ANAGBE893894    Bishop Anagbe. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and members of the895committee for giving me an opportunity to be heard at a896critical time in my country and, particularly, my State, Benue.897    I am Wilfred Anagbe and appear here as the Catholic Bishop898of Makurdi Diocese, the capital of Benue State in Nigeria. I am899the shepherd of one of the four Dioceses, Catholic Dioceses in900Benue. We have others--Anglican, Methodist, and the901Pentecostals.902    Benue State has a population of about of 6.1 million903people, 2 million of whom are under my care as the Bishop of904the Diocese. Benue State is about 98 percent Christian with905very few Muslims living in towns.906    Nigeria and eventually my diocese and the State of Benue907have become in recent years one of the most dangerous and908insecure places for Christians. Christians and Muslims are909nearly evenly divided among the general large population of910over 200 million persons.911    Islamist extremists are fiercely contesting the position,912control, and governing law of the land, especially in the913countries, northern and central regions, the latter of which914where Benue is located.915    There are constant ethnic, political, and religious916conflicts over land and the allegiance. Constitutionally, we917are a secular country, but our unity has been fragile.918Political and religious actions and even public speech have919been carefully managed to avoid accusations of religious bias920and political tensions.921    Today, the clear influence of Islamic extremists the922traditional social dynamics of tribe, ethnicity, religion, and923the social status in Nigeria. Because those recently are the924beginning of the Ramadan fast, plus those in northern Nigeria925have declared closed schools because of the tensions. As you926can imagine, which other country in the world does that?927    Saudi Arabia is not doing it. Afghanistan is not doing it.928Baghdad is not doing it, but then Nigeria is present. What kind929of--Islam practices it. Five, 12 states, and not only Muslims930are living in these places. What happened to the Christian931program or curriculum of the country? But this is what we are932going through every day in Nigeria.933    A long-term Islamic agenda to homogenize the population has934been implemented, over several presidencies, through a strategy935to reduce and eventually eliminate the Christian identity of936half of the population. This strategy includes both violent and937nonviolent actions, such as the exclusion of Christians from938positions of power and abduction of church members, the raping939of women, the killing and expulsion of Christians, the940destruction of churches and farmlands of Christian farmers,941followed by the occupation of such lands by the Fulani herders.942And also changing the names of these villages.943    They are taking a lot of places so you clearly see an944expansionist approach and Islamic--and then they are making the945people now flee and leave their villages and they conquer it.946    The quest to Islamize the land appears high on the agenda947of some of the powerful and influential Muslims in Nigeria.948There is a campaign to take land to spread Islam. And there is949the hemorrhaging of Christian farmers from the central region950of Nigeria, and Benue State Makurdi Diocese, in particular, as951they are forced to abandon fertile land that is used to feed952the Nation, which classify Benue as the fruit basket of the953Nation.954    Militant Fulani herdsmen are terrorists destroying society.955They steal and vandalize, they kill and boast about it, they956kidnap and rape, and they enjoy total impunity from the elected957authorities. None them have been arrested and brought to958justice. This is supported by the corrupt system in which we959operate, and the abject poverty among us, which allow the960criminals to easily attract more recruits and prey on more961victims.962    Why is this happening? Is it really a religious war? Like963in the past, many jihadists are motivated less by religion than964by spoils of war, and use their religion to impose themselves.965In my Diocese, the spoils consist mainly of fertile, well-966tended land organized around a parish. The jihadists come and967abduct and kill the priests, leaving thousands without support968and basic human services.969    And, of course, when despite the people habitats or the970citizens or the people of the land, they take over. And any971attempt to go back and take care of your farms, surely you will972get killed.973    The Makurdi Diocese in Benue State has been the epicenter974of the invasion by these herders, who are more like hired guns975of cattle oligarchs, who manipulate religion to rally the976herders to eliminate the Christian population, and cleanse the977land in the name of Islam.978    This objective is behind the relentless attacks against979Benue's villages. When we call for help to the police and the980Army, they do not come. At the end of 2024, several villages981were warned by the attackers of the upcoming violence, and the982leaders called the police for defense ahead of time. But they983did not come, and the Christmas massacres, almost customary,984took place killing hundreds in Plateau and Benue with worst985massacre claiming 47 people. The militants also burnt down the986eight Catholic churches of St. Mary's Parish in the Diocese of987Gboko, as well as the parish house, clinics, schools and other988houses.989    The Miliant Fulani herdsmen bear on defenseless villagers990without consequence. They follow orders to conquer, kill, and991occupy. They attack even those who have managed to escape into992our IDP camps. Thereby, they have no place to run to.993    And it is unfortunate that the police system in Nigeria,994orders have to come from Abul. And such, the one call and said995they have never--and by the time they arrived, this will have996left and the people are now leaving a pool of their blood.997    What I have recounted above is happening not only in Benue998State, I believe our experience in Benue is symptomatic is what999is happening elsewhere in large parts of Nigeria. The1000experience of a Nigerian person today can be summed up as death1001of a church under Islamist extermination.1002    It is frightening to live there. Apart from the violent1003campaigns and attacks against Christian villages, there are no1004attempts by the Islamic Council or from Nigeria and various1005Islamic groups to import Sharia law on the Christian1006populations. Already, 12 states in the north of Nigeria are1007under this sectarian religious law and attempts to extend the1008same to the south of Nigeria, which they have started.1009    This month, Governors in the north decided upwardly close1010all schools and Christian institutions during the months of1011Ramadan, leaving millions of students without learning1012opportunities for 5 weeks.1013    We live in fear because at any point it can be our turn to1014be killed. But to remain silent is to die twice. So I have1015chosen to speak. I speak on behalf of the millions who are in1016the camps.1017    In Benue State in my Diocese alone, in my Diocese I learned1018about nine camps, nine on the 5 of March, which was actually1019Wednesday, we visited one of the camps. And many of the my1020priests that are religious went to the other camps. This is for1021them to begin to ask one if--with the faithful who are there1022because we are the voice of the voiceless. We have to talk with1023the defenseless. We have to talk about the weak and those who1024cannot talk about themselves.1025    In one of the camps car, the mega camp, there were over10263,000 inmates of that camp. And we chose a record, give it to1027us by government.1028    I speak on behalf of them and those children who have no1029husband, who have no farther, and they want their own voices1030taken away by the politicians who promise to help them, but1031have become the willing tools of the jihadists. Because they1032are talking politically correct statements looking for next1033elections to come.1034    I speak on behalf of those whose loved ones have been1035killed, but no one has ever provided a word of consultation to1036them. I speak on behalf of the thousands of young girls who1037have been abducted and raped because no one, not even the media1038mentions them anymore.1039    Foremost, I speak on behalf of my flock who are unable to1040worship freely and unable to return to the ancestral farms and1041homes because that land has been ruthlessly taken from them by1042the armed herdsman.1043    And we are to say they want to live in peace with the1044Natives if we must fund. You have to pay tax to herd the land1045which belongs to you. That is slavery to say the least about1046it.1047    As proposed, Nigeria is an African continent. And I tell1048you, if there is outbreak of war in Nigeria, no country around1049us--Chad, Niger, Ghana, Guinea, Togo--no country can contain1050the population that will fill these places. No country can be1051able to house over five million refugees. It is not possible1052because of that. And if one million refugees run to Chad and1053Niger, they will call us to that country. Because there was no1054plan to take over there.1055    So we have to be very careful. Today, I ask you all to use1056every means within your mandate to start developing a stronger1057and good relationship with Nigeria where you know that when you1058speak of human dignity, you are also speaking of the same God-1059given right you believe is unalienable. Consider that Nigeria1060can be your ally. But it cannot be one where half the1061population is in the process of being murderously eliminated.1062Work with us, the churches, and other Nigerians of good will.1063We are looking for a peaceful and personal society, and our1064desperate plight has been set aside U.S. policy for too long to1065the cost of thousands of lives.1066    Concretely, I request and I plead, I ask you to redesignate1067Nigeria as a country of political concern. This had both a1068practical and diplomatic meaning to signal that you are paying1069attention to what happens to us and elsewhere in the world.1070Because the policies the government is trying to put in place,1071yet so that to return the IDPs, I mean, big camps for them,1072relocate them from their homes, it is not doable, and it did1073not work. Because the government has ordered the population1074that is not able to take of, and there you have millions of1075people in the camps, and they want to relocate them to Weha.1076And if you do, let's say that you do, how many houses or rooms1077will it give me, what, five children, another one has two, and1078what are they going to do for a living?1079    These people previously never begged anybody for food. They1080were managing their lives, training their children, and1081building their homes. So nobody should have deceive us under1082the guise that they want to resort to the IDPs. They have no1083jobs. So where you said they want to be in that place.1084    And, by the way, for the matter still remains, if you said1085to them to order camps or big place for them, what happens with1086the ancestral lines? Who takes care of them? And this is1087whereby I feel the government is complicit on this issue.1088    Because this terrorist Fulani displace and kill people, and1089they occupy the place, and they change names, nomenclatures of1090these towns. For what reason.1091    So we want to let the people go back to their homes and1092help for them to rebuild their lives. I implore this august1093body to insist on the return and order IDP to the ancestral1094lines, and not to relocate them to order constructed camps1095elsewhere, which is an invented solution now being posed by the1096Benue State government.1097    And I tell you, Nigerian Government can do that once they1098are held accountable. Because I know that Nigeria under the1099auspices of ECOMOG was able to reinState consumer government,1100consumer and Liberia. And they can do that now. We have the1101capacity. It is because their leaders that are not prepared.1102And I think that you should look. It is not just, you know, in1103a conspiracy of silence, it is aiding, abetting, and supporting1104these terrorists to keep doing their work. This is complete.1105Thank you very much for dissertation.1106    [The prepared statement of Bishop Anagbe follows:]11071108[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]11091110    Mr. Smith. Bishop, thank you very much for your testimony1111and, again, for your courage to be here. We know when you go1112back you will face risks, our prayers are with you. We will1113follow up on your admonitions you have given us today.1114    I would like to now recognize our final witness, Ms.1115Onubogu.11161117                    STATEMENT OF OGE ONUBOGU11181119    Ms. Onubogu. Thank you very much. Chairman Smith, Ranking1120Member Jacobs, and distinguished committee members, I1121appreciate the opportunity to testify before this committee1122today. I serve as Director of the Africa at the Wilson Center.1123Although the views express here are my own.1124    In keeping with the nonpartisan policy-focused work at the1125Wilson Center, I offer the following comments and1126recommendations. Consecutive U.S. administrations have1127described the U.S. relationship with Nigeria as among the most1128important in Africa. This year marks 26 years of uninterrupted1129civilian rule in Nigeria, the longest period of constitutional1130governance since the country's independence in October 1960.1131    Furthermore, as Nigeria serves a second term 1-year1132chairmanship of the economic community of West African states1133echo us, the country's leaders understandably expect to lead1134regional coordination efforts, given Nigeria's size, political1135and economic influence, and decisionmaking power within the1136block.1137    As ECOWAS turns 50 this year, good leadership will be1138crucial to address the rising threats to regional integration,1139security, and economic stability that have beset the subregion1140in recent years. However, whether and how Nigeria tackles its1141own internal governance and security challenges will set the1142pace, not only at home in Nigeria, but also in the broader West1143Africa region.1144    As Nigeria's internal struggles worsen, what is clear is1145that the country's instability is rooted in a vital1146shortcoming. After 64 years of independence, the country still1147struggles to cultivate a national identity rooted in basic1148freedoms and dignity for its people.1149    In Nigeria today, ethnicity, religion, and language, not1150nationality remain the benchmarks of personal identity for the1151country's highly diverse population.1152    While Nigeria has weakness--repeated ethnic and religious1153clashes over the years, its ethnically and religiously diverse1154population is not the problem or the cause of these conflicts.1155The problem, however, is that ethnicity and religion in Nigeria1156have become instrumental markers that are used to mobilize and1157successfully acquire power, resources, and political dominance.1158    It is important to understand the nature of violence in1159Nigeria and its causes, which extend beyond the religious or1160ethnic overtones that appear to motivate that animosity.1161    I grew up in Jos Plateau State in Nigeria's Middle Belt1162region. I visit Jos regularly, including in December, 2024,1163just a few days before the Christmas weekend attacks that1164killed and displaced hundreds.1165    Ms. Onubogu. These types of attacks have plagued local1166communities in Plateau State for more than 20 years. Having1167grown up in the Middle Belt region, I am deeply aware of the1168compounding impacts of these protracted conflicts on once-1169vibrant communities.1170    Whether labeled as banditry or terrorism or communal1171clashes or ethno-religious conflict, at the root of this1172violence is a failure of governance to meet the population's1173most basic needs--not only livelihoods, education, and1174healthcare, but also their need for perpetrators to be held1175legitimately accountable.1176    Elections and political appointments are two important1177areas where the interplay between religion and politics is most1178clearly demonstrated in Nigeria. Nigerian political leaders1179romanticize Nigeria's unity but do little to cultivate it. On1180the contrary, they often stoke ethnic and religious tensions in1181election campaigns, seemingly to distract from their failure to1182deliver for the people they are supposed to serve.1183    The divisive political climate of the 2023 elections1184illustrated this tendency. Furthermore, off-cycle elections1185conducted in 2024 also exposed the fragility of Nigeria's1186electoral process, as some political actors openly intimidated1187election officials and violently disrupted elections,1188suspending by-elections in Kano, Akwa Ibom, and Enugu States.1189    Certainly, recent data, as that from the nondenominational1190global network Open Doors, appears to indicate that violence1191against Christians, who make up 46 percent of the population,1192has been unaddressed by the previous Buhari administration, and1193no tangible progress has been made under the current Tinubu1194administration.1195    But we also know that violence overall in Nigeria has1196increased over time. The National Human Rights Commission of1197Nigeria reported that complaints of human rights rose by 251198percent in February alone.1199    The Nigerian Social Cohesion Survey conducted in 2022 also1200found that an overwhelming majority of Nigerians--96 percent,1201to be precise--consider human rights abuses and violations to1202be a problem in the country. This indicates not only that1203violence and rights abuses afflict many groups but also that1204Nigerians understand and respect the concept of human rights.1205    Now let me offer some recommendations. A few1206recommendations to the United States:1207    It is important to engage deeply and broadly with1208communities across Nigeria to better understand the nuances1209driving insecurity in the country. While it is never wise to1210dismiss religion as a cause of conflict, it is also1211unproductive to label a conflict as solely driven by religion1212when there are so many other factors at play. The root causes1213of Nigeria's conflicts and insecurity are deeper and more1214complex than generally discussed.1215    Second, develop a holistic and long-term vision for U.S.1216engagement with Nigeria on issues of governance and security.1217The U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission, formed in 2010, already1218provides the framework that supports country-to-country1219discussions on issues of security and governance.1220    After 15 years, it is time to take stock. Discussions in1221the Commission should take a fresh look that emphasizes1222security partnership sustained over the long term, seeking1223areas where cooperation is still possible and efforts that are1224most promising for real change, such as local and nongovernment1225initiatives.1226    Third, work more with Nigeria's states and its growing city1227centers. The U.S. Government should decentralize its engagement1228with Nigeria by strengthening its dialog with and support to1229receptive government and civic leaders at the State and local1230level.1231    Next, support democratic actors that are advancing1232inclusive peace processes and conflict resolution. Civic and1233religious leaders in Nigeria can serve as important bridges1234between communities and government, especially in communities1235where the government lacks credibility.1236    Partner with the Nigerian Government to make accountability1237central to the response to conflict and persecution. Support1238the judiciary to uphold the rule of law, and coordinate1239intelligence-sharing with institutions of government that are1240working to track financial transactions related to suspected1241terrorist activity, including terrorist funding.1242    Next, we should rethink U.S. and international policies1243that lead to knee-jerk responses to crisis. Reactive, quick-win1244actions that may seem beneficial to Nigerians could have larger1245and far-reaching negative impacts.1246    And, finally, revive the U.S. Congressional Bipartisan1247Caucus on Nigeria, which served as a space to prioritize1248discussions on issues of U.S.-Nigeria relations. An active1249congressional bipartisan caucus will signify the importance of1250U.S.-Nigeria relations and create a forum to proactively1251consider wide perspectives on different issues of concern to1252better inform legislative response.1253    And, now, recommendations to the Nigerian Government:1254    Coordinate Federal and State action in messaging. Effective1255coordination so desperately needed among Nigeria's Federal and1256State governments is too often undermined by finger-pointing.1257That must stop.1258    Since assuming office, President Tinubu has called for1259better synergy and cooperation among security agencies to1260address insecurity in the country. However, concrete steps must1261be taken to move this aspiration to reality.1262    Nigeria also needs to get serious about police reform. In1263December 2004, the Governors of Nigeria's 36 states unanimously1264endorsed the establishment of State police as a measure to1265combat the Nation's rising insecurity. While this is a1266significant shift in policing in Nigeria, it is still unclear1267how this will be operationalized.1268    Police reform should not be about State policing only, but1269it should consist of a broader conversation that is rooted in1270the country's present realities and applies lessons learned1271from past efforts.1272    Third, Nigeria needs to make accountability of perpetrators1273and of the authority central to its response. Nigerians need1274justice. Criminality in the Middle Belt and elsewhere in other1275parts of the country has grown, in part because of impunity.1276    The trends underlining the violence that we see in1277different parts of the country can be traced and can be1278anticipated if the appropriate government security agencies1279have effective early warning and rapid-response mechanisms.1280    Nigeria should also start laying the groundwork for1281peaceful elections in 2027. This year, 2025, will be a critical1282year for elections in Nigeria, as the current chairperson of1283Nigeria's election commission completes his second and final1284term in December 2025.1285    Finally, Nigeria needs to appoint an ambassador to the1286United States. It has been 18 months since Nigeria recalled its1287Ambassador from Washington and other diplomatic missions1288worldwide. Nigeria needs senior diplomatic representation to1289deepen its engagement with the U.S. across all spectrums,1290including in discussions like these, and to support and engage1291with Nigeria's dynamic and largely successful diaspora1292communities across the United States.1293    In conclusion, clearly a fresh approach is needed, both for1294Nigeria and for the U.S. U.S. and internal policies on Nigeria1295must include a better understanding of the country's1296complexities. Stepping back to honestly reanalyze how1297governance in Nigeria really works--and how it does not work--1298is crucial to addressing the question of conflict and1299persecution in Nigeria.1300    Thank you for inviting me to testify, and I look forward to1301your questions.1302    [The prepared statement of Ms. Onubogu follows:]13031304[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]13051306    Mr. Smith. Thank you so very much for your testimony.1307    And I think your point about failure of governance couldn't1308be stronger stated. When the Bishop said a moment ago that when1309they make calls to law enforcement to respond, they don't1310come--I have heard that over and over and over again,1311particularly as it relates to the Fulani.1312    But I remember, in the early days of Boko Haram, I had1313Assistant Secretary Johnnie Carson testify at several of my1314hearings, Africa Assistant Secretary, and he just said Boko1315Haram was a group of bandits, they had no thread of wanting a1316caliphate, which we found out later they did; that they were1317not promoting aggressive Islamist views, which they were.1318    And I did indicate in my opening comments how we tried to1319get Boko Haram designated as a foreign terrorist organization.1320And they had even blown up a building that killed some U.N.1321types, including an American, in Abuja. And all of that was1322just overlooked.1323    What Johnnie Carson said here in this room at that hearing1324was that all Boko Haram was trying to do was to embarrass1325Goodluck Jonathan, then the President. I said, are you kidding1326me? You know, embarrass him?1327    How about they--I mean, when they took the Chibok girls--1328and I met with several of the Chibok girls that escaped. There1329were few that escaped, and I met with many of their parents. It1330had everything to do with turning them into slaves and abusing1331them horribly and forcing them to change from being1332Christians--some were Muslim to begin with, but not many--to,1333you know, a coercive conversion on their part.1334    And that woke up some people here but not enough.1335    So, you know, your point about failure to govern couldn't--1336and I brought it up with Buhari many times as well and got1337nowhere.1338    There was an effort to have cooperation on the security1339side. There was a fusion center, as you might know--I visited1340it--where our military wanted to work side-by-side with there1341military to especially use the best and latest means of1342combating Boko Haram at the time, and it went nowhere.1343    The Leahy Amendment was invoked by our side, so I had a1344hearing on that, found out that half of the people that we1345could have trained would have easily passed muster under the1346Leahy Amendment--in other words, they didn't have human-rights1347violations attributed to them--but it never happened. It was a1348great idea, but it went nowhere.1349    So you are right, we need to revisit how do we work1350together on security.1351    And, again, if I called my local police department in1352Manchester, New Jersey, because a crime had been committed and1353they don't show up, that is a gross neglect and a gross failure1354to govern. That is what, as we know, Christians are facing each1355and every day.1356    So I thank you for that. I thank all of you.1357    Just a couple of quick points, and I will yield to my1358distinguished colleagues.1359    In 2016, I wrote the follow-up to Frank Wolf's famous,1360historic law called the International Religious Freedom Act,1361and we put a couple of things in there: ``Entities of1362Particular Concern,'' Boko Haram is on that list, but I do1363think the Fulani need to be on that list as well. That is1364something we should ask the administration to do.1365    We had a ``Designated Persons List'' for individuals1366committing egregious violations of human rights--Back in 2004,1367I was the author of the Belarus Democracy Act. That1368legislation, which was the first of its kind led to the1369Magnitsky Act. We put that into the NDAA to get it passed. It1370said we targeted individuals, not just the whole country but1371individuals, who are particularly severe in what they do.These1372individuals were denied and have no ability to engage1373economically with the United States in any way, shape, or form.1374    My hope is that we--and I invite you and I invite anyone1375who has pertinent information of any particular persons that1376need to be on that list so that we can individually sanction1377them. We have done it in other countries all over the world.1378Started with Belarus, with Lukashenko, but others have been1379targeted as well. In DR Congo, a lot of Kabila's people were1380targeted. It is a very effective mechanism to isolate them1381while we are working on the country itself. So I invite you,1382any individuals that you think should be on there.1383     I do think that the Fulani ought to be an FTO as well. Not1384only should they be designated an Entity of Particular Concern,1385but they need to go onto the Foreign Terrorist Organization1386list because of what they are doing.1387    Let me also get your thoughts on this and remind everybody1388that ``Country of Particular Concern'' requires an annual1389designation of countries where governments engage in or1390tolerate--that is the language of the statute, ``or1391tolerate''--particularly severe violations of religious freedom1392during the reporting year.1393    During the Obama years--again, I had hearings on this1394again--they wouldn't even name countries. I asked him, where1395are the countries? You know, it says in the statute you1396``shall''; it doesn't say you ``may.'' And we didn't even get a1397country or a list of those countries.1398    So we need to up our game, if you will, on promoting1399religious freedom everywhere. And Nigeria, in my opinion, it1400just stands out as an area that we need to do so much more on.1401    So if you want to speak to any of those thoughts about1402Entities of Particular Concern. My hope is that the President--1403and I think, Mr. Perkins, you put it well--that a very robust1404effort will be coming soon with regards to religious freedom1405everywhere, including in Nigeria, I mean, the suffering1406brethren of all kinds.1407    And I met with--every time I go, I meet with imams. If they1408speak out, they have got a mark on their back, and they will be1409killed by the weekend. And I am not exaggerating. I heard it1410from so many, I began to say, ``OK, they are not going to speak1411out.''1412    And I remember one particular imam telling me how ``Boko1413Haram, they are not us.'' And I said, ``I know that.'' You1414know, they are a radicalized group of people who kill and maim1415and slaughter and rape in order to get their way.1416    So law enforcement, if any of you want to speak to that. It1417seems to me that is so basic. If you don't have a government1418that responds to a request--if you had a fire going, would the1419firefighters show up? I hope so. Well, law enforcement needs to1420show up.1421    And when they start prosecuting people, you will see a1422different situation in Nigeria, I believe.1423    Ms. Shea. Well, if I may, Mr. Chairman, yes, I would like1424to respond to that.1425    I think you are right, and everyone on this witness table1426has said the same thing, that there has been this failure to1427hold accountable the perpetrators of these atrocities.1428    And it is actually worse than someone robbing your home. It1429is a systematic, coordinated attack that cleanses entire1430villages and farming areas of the population who have a certain1431religious profile that they don't like, I guess. But we don't1432know, we really don't know, what the motives or intents are,1433because the government doesn't investigate or bring to trial1434anyone for these horrible attacks.1435    And as the Bishop pointed out--and he is incredibly1436courageous to come forward today. As he said, he doesn't want1437to die twice. I hope not even once.1438    But once this process happens of clearing an entire1439village, burning the property and taking control of it, the1440IDPs are then sent to temporary camps, where the churches help1441or others help and feed them and sustain them, until they are1442permanently relocated somewhere else--maybe a bigger camp,1443maybe to other parts of the country, maybe outside the country.1444    This is not making any sense. It is not sustainable. And I1445think there has to be personal pressure, because the government1446has no political will. So no amount of programs are going to1447help this unless there is--help resolve this situation if there1448is no political will to do anything.1449    And that is what we are seeing over and over, year after1450year, 20 years of the Fulani herdsmen armed to their teeth with1451AKs. According to scholars who have written about this,1452Nigerians, these guns are given to them, these weapons are1453given to them by the breeders, the cattle breeders, the cattle1454oligarchs, as the Bishop called them. And they have to be held1455accountable.1456    Also, the top people in the government have to be held1457accountable on a personal level. They want their visas; they1458want their bank accounts in the United States. I think this1459would have teeth. And----1460    Mr. Smith. It is already law. It is already law. We just1461need to----1462    Ms. Shea. It is already law.1463    And we should be getting the names of the criminal justice1464people who are failing who are in the leadership of the1465government.1466    And you are right, Nigeria is America's most important1467partner in Africa, and it is a land of the future, and there is1468a lot of promise there. And we need to help them get control of1469the out-of-control terror and particularly this Fulani problem,1470whatever you want to call it, terror or criminality.1471    Mr. Smith. Ms. Jacobs?1472    Ms. Jacobs. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman.1473    Ms. Onubogu, I want to start with you. I really appreciated1474what you said in your testimony about the need to understand1475the drivers of violence in Nigeria, which extend beyond1476religious and ethnic overtones. So I want to start off with a1477conversation talking about what these drivers are.1478    What do you see as the primary drivers of conflict and1479violence across the Middle Belt? And what are the political and1480economic, social, or historical factors that exacerbate the1481conflict in that region?1482    Ms. Onubogu. Thank you, Representative Jacobs.1483    And, if I may, before I respond to that, just to touch on1484the point about police reform, as was mentioned, Nigeria is1485significantly underpoliced. And as I had mentioned in my1486remarks, there have been attempts at police reform. At least we1487have actually seen three, in 2006, in 2009, and 2012.1488    So the government has been engaging in trying to address1489the system with the way Nigeria is structured, Nigeria's1490security architecture, where the police is centered in the1491center of the country. As I mentioned, in December of last1492year, Nigerian State Governors have started looking at1493decentralizing the police.1494    A lot needs to be done to actually operationalize that,1495since these are conversations that have been happening over 201496years. So actually trying to move that aspiration to reality is1497something, as I had mentioned in recommendations, that the U.S.1498could support the administration in looking at.1499    In terms of the questions on the drivers of violence, as I1500had mentioned in my remarks, where Nigeria's identity--the1501government has failed on really crafting an understanding of1502identity, one that is based on basic freedoms and dignity for1503the people. People still identify based on their ethnicity,1504religion, and language.1505    And many politicians, political actors, across the board,1506across the Middle Belt and in different parts of the country,1507too, as well, have tapped into this and used this to instigate1508violence or instigate conflict, mostly for the purposes of1509acquiring power, acquiring resources, and acquiring position.1510    So this is at the root of Nigeria's--is at the root of the1511conflict that we see.1512    Taking it back to the question of governance and really1513understanding the history of violence and understanding the1514history of political participation in Nigeria is key and1515important if we are to really tackle these conflicts. If not,1516we end up only--the conflict that we see today is only a1517symptom of much larger problems.1518    Ms. Jacobs. Thank you.1519    Which types of U.S. Government investments have been most1520effective in addressing some of these drivers of conflict?1521    Ms. Onubogu. In my opinion, programs that have been most1522effective are programs that really work in partnership with the1523government, in partnership with communities, programs that are1524able to inform and shape--programs that are able to inform and1525design interventions that are able to effectively tackle1526concerns that are identified by communities.1527    It is important that communities are part and parcel of1528identifying the problem. And, again, in terms of programs that1529we have also seen that have been successful, in complex1530environments like Nigeria, involving nuanced views, involving1531diverse voices in these conversations have often led to1532progress.1533    Ms. Jacobs. Thank you.1534    Mr. Perkins, I have a question for you. Last year, the1535State Department hired a seasoned expert to conduct an analysis1536of conflict and religious-freedom dynamics in northern Nigeria.1537This expert was originally recommended by USCIRF Commissioner1538Frank Wolf to gain a better understanding of these issues and1539advise the Department on the exact topic of this hearing today.1540    Unfortunately, due to the Trump administration's aid freeze1541and cuts, this project is paused.1542    Can you discuss the benefits of this kind of research1543project, what information it would help provide the U.S.1544Government, and how this research could help us effectively1545address religious-freedom challenges in Nigeria?1546    Mr. Perkins. Certainly.1547    I do think there are valuable projects in which the Federal1548Government, State Department, does fund. But I think we have an1549overwhelming amount of evidence to suggest that we have a1550problem, and I think everyone agrees, that whether religion--1551and I agree with the comments that have been made by everybody1552on both this panel as well as the members of the subcommittee.1553This is a complex issue.1554    But to deny the fact that--and I am not suggesting anyone1555is denying this. But to say that religion is not a part of the1556mix would be to deny reality, because it is. It has been1557weaponized by some, as testimony has given light to today. So1558we have the evidence there.1559    I think that by moving forward with the designation we get1560the attention of the country of Nigeria and then, hopefully,1561the will of the Nigerian Government to partner in legitimate1562programs--because there are many. You are absolutely correct;1563there are many legitimate programs that can help advance1564democracy and security in Nigeria. I worked with the State1565Department on part of those in developing the security of the1566local law enforcement. So there are legitimate ones.1567    But I think it--I agree with the administration in pausing1568until we do an analysis of what is working and what is not.1569    Ms. Jacobs. OK.1570    Ms. Onubogu, do you think additional research on the1571conflict dynamics in northern Nigeria would be beneficial for1572the U.S. Government's response?1573    Ms. Onubogu. Yes, I do.1574    Ms. Jacobs. Thank you. So do I. And I implore the Trump1575administration to allow this project to continue and make sure1576our embassy is adequately staffed.1577    Mr. Smith. Thank you very much.1578    I would like to recognize Mr. Huizenga.1579    Mr. Huizenga. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I appreciate you1580holding this very important hearing.1581    This is actually something that we had done previously, or1582you had led, and good to see some of you folks again here.1583    Specifically, I have a quick question at the front end of1584both the Bishop and Ms. Onubugo--bogu, correct?1585    Ms. Onubogu. Yes.1586    Mr. Huizenga. Has Nigeria always been this violent?1587    Bishop Anagbe. Yes. Not this level of violence. Because1588this is almost like an open war declared on some parts of1589Nigeria.1590    And then it is multidimensional, from Boko Haram to1591bandits. Boko Haram is the northeast; the bandits are in the1592northwest. And then the Fulani terrorists are in the north-1593central, which is Middle Belt.1594    Mr. Huizenga. Yes.1595    Bishop Anagbe. And these attacks are simultaneously carried1596out in places where1597    [inaudible] of violence is being experienced. And the1598worsening part of it, the government is very, very inactive.1599    Mr. Huizenga. Ms. Onubogu, yes, you were talking about the1600history of violence. Has it always been as violent as we are1601seeing today?1602    Ms. Onubogu. Yes, as I say, it is important to understand1603the nature of violence. As I have mentioned in my remarks, this1604year basically marks 26 years of uninterrupted civilian rule,1605which means there was a transition in 1999 from military rule.1606    Going back all the way to Nigeria's independence, every1607republic, dating back to the first republic, we have always1608seen some forms of violence that have often been shaped around1609identity lines, religion, or background. And as time has gone1610on, it has often taken on a different shape or form of its own.1611    So it is important to understand that the violence is1612interconnected.1613    Mr. Huizenga. Yes.1614    Ms. Onubogu. Things may look different, but they are1615connected by the same underlying issues.1616    Mr. Huizenga. What I'm trying to understand, though, is,1617has Nigeria always been this violent, and maybe a slightly1618different form, in your opinion?1619    Ms. Onubogu. There has always been an element of violence.1620    Mr. Huizenga. Sure. There has been an element.1621    Well, you are from Jos. And I am familiar with Jos. I have1622had family members who have traveled to Jos and Lagos, because1623the church denomination I happen to be a member of I am sure1624you are familiar with, which is the Christian Reform Church.1625The Christian Reform Church, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan,1626actually has more members in Nigeria than they do in all of1627North America. It is basically an African church headquartered1628in Grand Rapids, Michigan, of all things.1629    I will tell you that the people that I have talked to who1630have been either on the mission field there or who have lived1631there or who have been a part of that, they believe that there1632has been an up-tick in violence and that the country wasn't--it1633may have been percolating in a different way, but there was not1634this outright violence.1635    Ms. Onubogu. Uh-huh.1636    Mr. Huizenga. Many of them tell me that they believe that1637it has been the rise of radical Islam and jihadism that has1638really brought that to the surface.1639    Whether you are saying that is a cultural thing or whether1640it is a religious thing, I think we can't ignore the fact that1641radical jihadists have taken on a very, very different tactic.1642Let's put it that way, if you want to call violence a tactic.1643    Ms. Onubogu. Uh-huh.1644    Mr. Huizenga. But that is why, I think, this drives many of1645us to say, OK, what is happening here? What has changed?1646    We know that there is violence throughout Africa, you know,1647whether it is in South Sudan, whether it is in other places1648that we are seeing, oftentimes--right now in Rwanda and in the1649Congo, that conflict that is there right now. There is a lot of1650mix to it, but I think, specifically, when it comes to Nigeria,1651that there has been some sort of change.1652    Ms. Onubogu. Yes. And if I may just respond very quickly to1653that.1654    While my family is from the southern part of Nigeria, I1655grew up in the Middle Belt of Nigeria and, obviously,1656understand the dynamics of the Middle Belt, indigent versus1657non-indigent. I was also part and parcel, faced, looking at how1658things have evolved over time.1659    So, even while we talk about Boko Haram today or the1660recently identified new terror group Lakurawa that was just1661mentioned in November, it also dates all the way back to the16621980's where there were groups like the Maitatsine movement and1663others.1664    So the point that I am----1665    Mr. Huizenga. And oftentimes that was regarding moving of1666energy and those kinds of things, correct?1667    Ms. Onubogu. Yes.1668    So the point I was making--or the point that I am making is1669that the environment, the weakness of governance----1670    Mr. Huizenga. Sure.1671    Ms. Onubogu [continuing]. allows groups like these, allows1672ideologies like these to thrive, and the weakness of governance1673is at the root of these concerns.1674    Because data shows us that Nigerians value their unity,1675Nigerians value their diversity. Very recent data shows us that1676it is not about religion our ethnicity but the weaknesses in1677government.1678    Mr. Huizenga. I think we are on parallel tracks. We may not1679have our tracks cross exactly, but we are on parallel tracks. I1680think there is a weakness of government that is clear on that.1681    But I do want to move on.1682    Mr. Chairman, we talked about and, in fact, Ms. Onubogu1683referenced the December 2023 Christmas Eve killings. I led a1684letter to the State Department, Mr. Chairman, that included1685some folks who were on the committee, expressing concern to1686Secretary Blinken and their decision in 2023 to not designate1687Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.1688    May 1, of 2024, I received a three-page letter back from1689the Assistant Secretary where the word ``Christian'' appeared1690once. It was alongside ``Islam'' in the response. I would like1691to submit that for the record.1692    Mr. Smith. Without objection, so ordered.1693    [Please refer to the Appendix for this information]1694    Mr. Huizenga. So, basically, my calls to the State1695Department went really unanswered. And, frankly, I think the1696State Department employed, shall we say, active avoidance on1697the issue, and I was given inadequate responses that failed to1698address the concerns that many of us had.1699    I think, is part of the problem with the last1700administration and among their staff, was an overt refusal to1701acknowledge that Christians specifically were being targeted.1702They would have no problem identifying others who had been1703targeted, rightfully so, other ethnic minorities, but when it1704specifically came to Christians, it wasn't politically a good1705time for them to talk about it. And that is a huge problem.1706    The fact remains that 90 percent of global total Christian1707deaths occur on the African continent. And that is according to1708Open Doors, somebody that you had referenced earlier.1709    I want to ask all the witnesses: Do you believe that the1710Tinubu administration has intentionally not taken the required1711actions to ensure the safety and security of--we can broaden it1712out for all ethnic minorities, but let's specifically address1713Christians, as well, throughout the country.1714    Ms. Shea?1715    Ms. Shea. Yes. Thank you, Congressman, for your questions1716and your comments.1717    Just to address the terror issue or the violence issue that1718you raised, Nigeria did get worse on the Global Terrorism Index1719over the past year. So it is quantitative that it is1720intensifying.1721    The Fulani, for the last 20 years, have been being armed1722with automatic weapons by, according to scholars, Nigerians1723scholars, by cattle breeders who hire them. And so this is1724contributing to the up-tick in violence as well.1725    I have forgotten your question now.1726    Mr. Huizenga. Oh, just whether the Tinubu administration--1727--1728    Ms. Shea. Oh. Yes.1729    Mr. Huizenga [continuing]. has sort of intentionally--are1730they doing what is really required to ensure safety of their1731citizens?1732    Ms. Shea. Yes. You know, on intent and what they intend to1733do, I have tried to bring out prominent voices in my testimony,1734in my written testimony, who believe that this is deliberate on1735the part of the government. There are others who feel that the1736government is just lax, but some feel that the government is1737complicit.1738    I saw that, frankly, in the Catholic Bishops' letter that1739was released recently that was referred to by me and the1740Bishop, about the fact that Islamic law of closing down--or at1741least somebody's interpretation of Islamic law of closing down1742all schools in some of the 12 northern states to observe,1743forcibly observe, Ramadan is--part of the Bishops' alarm at1744this is a sort of creeping introduction of Islam as the law of1745the land, not only in those 12 northern states but throughout1746the country.1747    I have heard that from a number of prominent voices,1748whether Catholic Bishops or others--civic leaders and even1749Governors of some of the southern states, central states.1750    Mr. Huizenga. I am going to skip over, if you don't mind,1751Mr. Perkins, to the Bishop.1752    What is your take on the Tinubu administration? Are they1753actively trying to protect that, or are they allowing it and1754turning a blind eye?1755    Bishop Anagbe. I think, to my own opinion, the government1756certainly has good intention, but there is no implementation.1757And I think it is simply because they want to be politically1758correct, not to offend any particular group of persons. And so1759that is why the inactivity is taking place, and people are1760feeling emboldened to continue to do what is going on.1761    And the failure of the security, further, to apprehend1762those who are involved is a clear sign that they don't--they1763just--everybody--people are dying.1764    So, if the government wants to take action, they will do.1765    Mr. Huizenga. You have been very generous, Mr. Chairman. I1766do also want to hit on one other thing. You know, this hearing1767is specifically about Nigeria, but given the expertise and the1768people that we have, I would love to hear a little broader1769view.1770    I had the opportunity to recently sit down with Bishop1771Dennis Nthumbi, who is the African director of Israel Allies1772Foundation. We talked at length about the systematic1773persecutions of Christians and Jews that are happening1774throughout the continent and the rise in antisemitism there.1775    Mr. Chairman, for the record, I would also like to post the1776Bishop's report on accounts of widespread violence and1777destruction of churches and other religious sites that have1778been happening. So I would like to submit that for the record1779here.1780    Mr. Smith. Without objection, so ordered.1781    [Please refer to the Appendix for this information:]1782    Mr. Huizenga. In fact, the Bishop is here with us today, in1783the back. And I applaud him and his work as well.1784    But getting back to specifically Nigeria, you know, we have1785seen a rise throughout the African continent. We are talking1786specifically, though, about the tools that we have in Congress.1787    I am curious, from each one of the witnesses: Is the CPC,1788this destination, is that necessary, and is it warranted for1789Nigeria right now, or is this some sort of knee-jerk reaction?1790    Ms. Shea. Well, I think it is warranted. We can't fudge the1791facts. We need the truth to come out. This is one of the worst1792situations in the world, as you know, for Christians. And the1793law is clear. If the government engages in or tolerates1794egregious violations of religious freedom, which the government1795certainly is, regardless of whether it is deliberate or not on1796their part, I think that we must do that.1797    It does put pressure. Governments do not like to be on the1798short list of the world's worst persecutors. It is a platform1799for beginning to reassess American policy on how we deal with1800this partnership that is increasingly uncomfortable and1801untenable as they become more terror-ridden and their religious1802communities are attacked relentlessly with impunity.1803    So, yes.1804    Mr. Huizenga. I will put you down as a ``yes''?1805    Ms. Shea. Put me down as a ``yes.''1806    Mr. Huizenga. Yes, Okay.1807    And I don't want to necessarily have to go back over as to1808why it was removed. Our job here today is as to does this1809administration need to reapply the CPC.1810    Mr. Perkins?1811    Mr. Perkins. I would say yes.1812    If I could provide some context, during my time as Chairman1813of USCIRF, we didn't randomly give out CPC as, you know,1814labels, that we just wanted to go after a particular country.1815In fact, during my time, we worked to take countries off our1816watchlist----1817    Mr. Huizenga. That is the goal, right?1818    Mr. Perkins. That is the goal. This is a tool.1819    Mr. Huizenga. I mean, we want to improve those relations.1820    Mr. Perkins. This is a tool.1821    We used it--we actually took Sudan off the list. I traveled1822to Sudan. Unfortunately, things have changed there in the last1823few years, but we were very hopeful. And this CPC status was a1824tool. They wanted to get it off so that they could have access1825to international banking. They didn't want to be on that list.1826It worked.1827    We worked to get Egypt--I met with President El-Sisi1828multiple times--to get them off the watchlist. And they were1829making great progress.1830    Mr. Huizenga. It is kind of amazing when you look at some1831of the list of countries, like Egypt, that have been on this,1832and the fact that Nigeria and its current situation isn't seems1833a little stunning to me.1834    Mr. Perkins. It does. That is why I do think it needs to be1835on the list and utilized as a tool to address both the1836religious-freedom issue and the underlying issues.1837    Mr. Huizenga. I have taken way too much time, but, Bishop,1838quickly, and then Ms. Onubogu. Do you believe Nigeria should be1839on this designation?1840    Bishop Anagbe. My response would be--thank you very much.1841My response would be yes. One, because CPC designation is not1842punitive. That is one. It is corrective so that you will be1843able to see what----1844    Mr. Huizenga. Not punitive to the citizens, specifically--1845--1846    Bishop Anagbe. Exactly.1847    Mr. Huizenga [continuing]. unlike a lot of other sanctions.1848    Bishop Anagbe. Exactly. It is not punitive.1849    It is also corrective so that you will be able to realign1850yourself with the global practices of, like, human-rights1851violations. We need to--you need to know.1852    And you have to, because Nigeria is not a--you can't say1853it's just because it is a kind of domestic affair. Domestic1854affair involves people's lives. And they are going. So the1855world cannot watch while countries are just--citizens are just1856being killed.1857    I would think, if we do this, that helps to bring the1858financiers of these programs--or, these violations to book1859first. The ammunition these terrorists, Fulanis or whoever,1860carry along is not manufactured in Nigeria. It is bought1861somewhere. Those local boys in the bush don't have money to buy1862those ammunition. Who supplies them? Who equips them? So, if1863this is done, certainly you have a searchlight on who is1864involved.1865    So, for me, yes.1866    Mr. Huizenga. Okay.1867    Ms. Onubogu?1868    Ms. Onubogu. Thank you for that question.1869    Making a designation as what you said is beyond my1870institutional purview. What I provide is more policy-focused,1871nonpartisan, unbiased research, ensuring that the facts speak1872for itself. I will leave that to the committee to make the1873designation.1874    But as we look at the research in Nigeria and on Nigeria,1875it is important that we understand that Nigeria is not your1876typical nation-State. This is a State where identities are1877formed along lines of ethnicity, religion. And so, at the end1878of the day, those that may be--maybe try to hold accountable1879may not actually see themselves as accountable to the citizens.1880    So this is why I say it is important for us to take a look1881at the research, take a look at the data, to make informed1882decisions.1883    Thank you.1884    Mr. Huizenga. So is that an official pass, not an opinion1885as to whether we ought to have the CPC?1886    Ms. Onubogu. As I said, it is beyond my institutional1887purview.1888    Mr. Huizenga. I would argue, Mr. Chairman, it is a policy1889debate and discussion that we are having.1890    But, with that, I have taken a lot of time, and I1891appreciate that, to my colleagues as well. I yield back.1892    Mr. Smith. Thank you.1893    I would like to now recognize Ms. Jayapal.1894    Ms. Jayapal. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.1895    Having lived and worked all over the world, including1896across the African continent, on international health and1897development, I think it is very important that we think about1898how we use all the tools in the toolbox. And I have appreciated1899USCIRF's work on protecting all religious freedom and calling1900out countries, including my birth country of India, for issues1901around persecution of Christians and Muslims. But I think the1902central question here goes to Ms. Onubogu's point about1903weakness of government.1904    I think that is the phrase you used. And I think it really1905is critical. Because--it is not that I don't agree with Mr.1906Perkins that we should address religious freedom. I do think we1907should. But I think, at the core, when you look at this issue,1908it is the weakness of government that allows extremism of any1909religion to thrive.1910    That is why I think that the way in which USAID has now1911been stripped and paused, all of the funding has been paused--191283 percent of funding for USAID has currently been stopped--is1913a problem. Because many of those projects were actually trying1914to address the underlying root causes that I think, perhaps,1915there is some agreement on the panel that we should be1916addressing.1917    And so The New York Times recently reported a list of words1918and terms that the Trump administration has banned or1919restricted from government communications. And those included1920things like ``cultural differences,'' ``community diversity,''1921``discrimination,'' ``prejudice,'' ``victim,'' and even1922``women.'' It makes it very hard to think about nuanced1923programs that address those underlying causes.1924    And so, Ms. Onubogu, I want to ask you, how would banning1925projects that utilize those terms affect the U.S.'s ability to1926accurately describe and respond to violence in Nigeria?1927    Ms. Onubogu. So thank you for the question.1928    Working in complex environments like Nigeria and elsewhere1929requires being able to take into account the total picture of1930occurrences in different parts of the country. The way we1931define issues as peace and violence may seem different in1932different communities and different--across different1933communities in Nigeria.1934    So it would be necessary to take into account the1935complexity and diversity of Nigeria toward trying to ensure we1936can devise sustainable solutions to addressing root causes of1937violence there.1938    Ms. Jayapal. In fact, I used ``diversity'' in my opening1939statement, but that, I guess, would tag it as a project that is1940not worthwhile.1941    I want to specifically focus on a State Department project1942in northeastern Nigeria called Nigerian Youth CARE. This1943program has been suspended by the Trump administration. It1944provided Nigerian youth with mentorship and training on how to1945bridge religious divides, and it launched initiatives that were1946meant to reduce hate speech and inflammatory rhetoric on social1947media.1948    Could you explain, Ms. Onubogu, how programs that focus on1949inter-religious dialog can actually assist in reducing the1950occurrence of religious violence and extremism?1951    Ms. Onubogu. Thank you.1952    So points about youth, youth making up--70 percent of the1953population in Nigeria is below the age of 35. I think it has1954been referenced by others on this panel, too, as well, the1955importance of engaging youth.1956    I think in complex environments like Nigeria where1957identities are formed or identities are formed around ethnicity1958or religion, and especially in communities where we have seen1959protracted conflicts that have taken on a different life of1960their own, time after time--again, as I mentioned, in the case1961of Plateau State, we have seen conflicts going on for over 201962years--it is important to bring voices together, to bring1963people together, to bring communities together to be able to1964identify what the problems are and find ways to work through1965them together.1966    So being able to push inter-religious dialog or interfaith1967dialog--and some of them we have witnessed on the ground--is a1968good example of work that could be done to bridge divides,1969bridge gaps in Nigeria.1970    In fact, data actually shows that, in Nigeria, as in some1971other countries, too, as well, on the continent, but in Nigeria1972specifically, religious leaders actually are really trusted by1973their communities. And we have seen several examples of1974interfaith mediation efforts across Nigeria that have been1975really successful.1976    Ms. Jayapal. Well, that leads me to another project around1977good governance. The International Republican Institute1978formerly funded a project in Nigeria to educate political party1979leaders on good governance strategies and bringing1980traditionally politically marginalized groups in Nigeria,1981including women, young people, religious minorities, into the1982political process. That is another project that this1983administration has ended.1984    What is the importance of representative democracy in1985Nigeria and the value of representation for traditionally1986marginalized groups, including religious minorities?1987    I will start with you.1988    But I am interested in your perspective on this as well,1989Mr. Perkins.1990    Ms. Onubogu. Thank you.1991    So, as I mentioned in my remarks, elections and political1992appointments are two important areas where we see the interplay1993between religion and politics, where we have seen time and time1994again that politicians romanticize Nigeria's unity, but,1995basically, when it comes to elections, they just use it to1996instigate and galvanize votes.1997    As I mentioned, this year, 2025, is a critical year for1998elections in Nigeria. The chair of Nigeria's Independent1999National Election Commission, his term runs out in December of2000this year.2001    If we go back to 2023 and we see how divisive those2002elections were, it is important to start laying the groundwork2003now to ensure that political actors are not in a position to2004utilize religion or utilize ethnicity to foment violence and to2005garner votes. We are already seeing examples of what is2006happening with the by-elections that happened in 2024.2007    So it is really important to start, as the country, as2008Nigeria starts thinking about sort of the makeup of the2009leadership, what the new leadership of Nigeria's Independent2010Election Commission could look like. This is an opportunity to2011start engaging and identifying key stakeholders in the2012political space and in civil society, as well, to work together2013toward ensuring that citizens--that, basically, the faith of2014citizens is restored in the electoral process.2015    Ms. Jayapal. Thank you.2016    Mr. Perkins, as I said, I have utilized some of your work2017and USCIRF's work in other regions, because I think it is2018important for us to be consistent in allowing for all religious2019freedom, not just for some.2020    Your views on how religious freedom and governance, good2021governance, and democracy interact and why it is important to2022ensure that we really are protecting it in a place like2023Nigeria, where you have a very divided population religiously2024and you need to pay attention to all religious freedom--how2025would you speak to the importance of that?2026    Mr. Perkins. Well, thank you for that question. And I2027appreciate your interest in this. And you have correctly2028analyzed it.2029    I did a lot of interfaith work in the Middle East, sitting2030down with imams, sitting down with evangelicals in places where2031they were a very extreme minority. Here in Nigeria, it is a2032pretty much divided country, equally.2033    Ms. Jayapal. Yes.2034    Mr. Perkins. I think it goes back to what has been2035identified here, is the governance of the country and the will2036of the current administration.2037    Now, we could point to a lot of programs--I bet if you and2038I sat down and had a cup of coffee, we would identify probably2039a number of programs that we would agree with. Probably2040wouldn't agree on everything, but we would agree on some2041things. We have been doing those programs for decades in2042Nigeria, and we have not seen the positive outcomes.2043    And so, when we move to see the State Department designate2044in 2020 this country as a Country of Particular Concern, it was2045to get the attention of the government of the country so that2046we might get them to be willfully engaged, like we have seen in2047other countries.2048    So I think this is really not a question about, are some of2049these projects viable and should they be in place? I think we2050would all agree that, yes, there are some. But----2051    Ms. Jayapal. Well, not everyone agrees, unfortunately. I2052mean, 83 percent of these projects have been cut.2053    Mr. Perkins. I understand that.2054    Ms. Jayapal. And the question is, do you take a hatchet to2055something, or do you take a scalpel to something?2056    Mr. Perkins. Well, I think we are in a situation where we2057have to do something different, because the outcomes have not2058changed. And I think taking this approach, as we are focused on2059today, declaring this designation as a Country of Particular2060Concern, hopefully would get the government's attention so that2061we can have this collaboration to address the underlying issues2062that have allowed religion to be utilized as a weapon of2063division.2064    Ms. Jayapal. Well, I agree with you that religion is2065utilized as a weapon too often. And there are extremists in all2066religions. I have seen that--you know, my birth country of2067India has--I am proud that we have had so many religions living2068side-by-side. And my home State of Kerala is the place where we2069have the most Christians in the country. And so I understand2070the importance of that.2071    But I again go back to your very important point about all2072of the pieces that are essential here. And I hope that, as we2073continue this dialog, we think about what it does when you just2074destroy everything all at once. The hole that is left in the2075countries that we have been providing critical aid to is2076enormous, and we know that extremists go to fill any hole that2077is there.2078    And so I would just argue that actually it is a very2079important part of how the United States should be engaging with2080Nigeria and with countries around the world, to not eliminate2081and create huge holes in humanitarian assistance and in2082governance and democracy projects and all of these things.2083Because, when you do, you are creating another opportunity for2084chaos to be exploited.2085    With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield back.2086    Mr. Smith. Thank you very much.2087    I recognize Mr. Baird.2088    Mr. Baird. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you for2089holding this very informative meeting.2090    I really appreciate the witnesses being here.2091    But I want to do this. During the Trump administration,2092Nigeria was rightfully placed on a special watchlist and2093eventually was designated as a Country of Particular Concern,2094CPC, we have been talking about.2095    I was disappointed by the Biden administration's decision2096to not designate Nigeria as a CPC in the period of 2020 through20972024 with no real reason. And that was despite consistent2098recommendations from the United States Commission on2099International Religious Freedom to maintain that designation.2100    So, as the second Trump administration continues its work,2101the committee has a unique opportunity to reevaluate the United2102States' policy toward Nigeria in a manner that bolsters2103stability and religious freedom.2104    My question goes to Ms. Shea and Mr. Perkins.2105    A country that is designated and cited as a CPC carries2106with it a suite of varying sanctions that the President can2107levy on those countries. So how would these potential2108punishments, which the President can waive for national-2109security reasons, how would that prepare the Nigerian2110Government to make more systematic action to prevent religious-2111activated violence?2112    Ms. Shea. Thank you for your question. I will just give one2113quick answer, and then I will turn it over to Mr. Perkins, who2114has a whole roster of recommendations that they developed2115during his term on USCIRF.2116    You know, Nigeria is a rich country. It is one of the2117largest economies, if not the largest economy, in Africa. So it2118is rich in natural resources, it is rich in human resources.2119And when Nigerians come to our country, they do extremely well.2120In fact, they are one of the most successful immigrant groups2121in the United States.2122    They need law and order. They need a government with the2123political will to apply the law and to hold people accountable,2124as we all acknowledged today. And to do that, I think that they2125are going to need some pressure, some sanctions on particular2126officials to deny them visas and bank accounts and financial2127opportunities here.2128    I recommend--and Chairman Smith was the pioneer of this in2129his legislation that he got through. So I think we have to make2130good use of that and the Magnitsky sanctions, the Global2131Magnitsky.2132    I will stop there and let Mr. Perkins----2133    Mr. Perkins. Well, as has been discussed already, it allows2134for both surgical--going after certain individuals, as Nina was2135just talking about, with sanctions.2136    It would also affect foreign aid, which I believe will be2137coming back in different forms and fashions. It will get their2138attention and put them on a particular path of having to give2139an account.2140    It will affect programs. We have been talking about2141programs, how necessary those programs are, but it affects2142that. It affects businesses. It depends on how far the2143President or the administration would want to go.2144    Unfortunately, what we have seen in the past is that these2145sanctions, when we have a CPC status, they have been waived, as2146you made reference to in your comments. I would encourage the2147administration not to waive these sanctions but to apply them2148until Nigeria wants to come to terms to address the underlying2149issues that led to the CPC status.2150    Mr. Baird. One other question in that regard. You know,2151sometimes we send this assistance, but it ends up being2152diverted off because of the situation in the country. And so I2153think it is important that we have governance, as we have been2154talking about, in this session in order. And you mentioned that2155about governance in order to make sure that the programs are2156administered properly. So I agree with that. So I thank both of2157you.2158    So, Ms. Onubogu, do you have any questions or any concerns?2159    Ms. Onubogu. Nothing, sir. Thank you.2160    Mr. Baird. Bishop?2161    Bishop Anagbe. No.2162    Mr. Baird. I thank you, and I yield back.2163    Mr. Smith. Thank you very much. Mr. Jackson?2164    Mr. Jackson of Illinois. Thank you much, Chairman. I am2165honored to be with you. I thank each and every one of you for2166participating today and your outstanding comments.2167    First of all, I would like to acknowledge, are there--or2168question in general--are in any Muslims in the panel present2169today?2170    Mr. Smith. Will the gentleman yield? I will tell you why I2171didn't do it.2172    Mr. Jackson of Illinois. Yes, sir.2173    Mr. Smith. If we had a Muslim here, when he or she went2174back, they might be killed. I met with many Muslim Imams in2175Nigeria on several trips, every time I was told that if they2176speak out, they are marked, and they will be visited.2177    Now the Christians are in a similar, but not exactly quid2178pro quo it is going to happen. That is why we are very worried2179about the bishop, but that is why there is nobody here.2180    But, you know, just so you know, I speak out for the2181Muslims as well. But here we did not want to have that2182situation because we thought of it, and we thought of it very2183seriously.2184    Mr. Jackson of Illinois. Okay. Thank you so much, Chairman.2185I just wanted the record to reflect that.2186    The question probably is in the dismantling of the USAID,2187the Trump administration recently terminated a USAID program2188called Partner that supported peace-building efforts in2189northern and north central Nigeria. The $2 million project2190helped to strengthen the country's early warning and security2191response systems and provide training for local leaders,2192including religious leaders on conflict mitigation and conflict2193resolution. This project and others like it helped provide2194local leaders with the mechanisms to alert law enforcement to2195possible conflicts before they happen.2196    Partner also helped to facilitate communications between2197farmer and herder community leaders, often individuals from2198different religious backgrounds in an attempt to bridge the gap2199between the two groups.2200    Ms. Onubogu, what are some of these early warning signs of2201conflict that you have experienced?2202    Ms. Onubogu. Thank you for your question. I think going2203back to my initial remarks, security is at the center of2204addressing a lot of these concerns that we see in Nigeria.2205While several communities have been able to put in place early2206warning signals based on how they communicate in their2207communities; being able to know who is a new person that comes2208into the community; or if they see things changing, they are2209able to track changes in their communities as well. The concern2210has often been that sometimes response is lacking. And response2211is lacking because of the way Nigeria security's structure,2212Nigeria security architecture is set up.2213    As I mentioned, there have been several attempts at police2214reform in Nigeria. This is an area where the government needs2215to strengthen its approach. We have seen even from Open Doors2216themselves have also mentioned that the Nigerian Government2217under Tinubu has been making some attempts to address the2218security concerns; to ensure that they are able to bolster the2219response mechanisms.2220    As I mentioned, securities are pretty strong at identifying2221where the problem areas are, where the gaps are. Then should2222continue to be supported to ensure they build resilience2223structures in their communities to withstand any sort of2224violence or intrusion that might come in.2225    But on the security side, on bolstering and strengthening2226the security architecture, these are areas where we need to2227focus on to ensure that any response also matches the early2228warning signals that are coming from communities.2229    Mr. Jackson of Illinois. Thank you so much. And this is a2230question open to all. When we talk about security and security2231drivers, what would you say is the leading cause of the2232security or the insecurity drivers?2233    Ms. Onubogu. So Nigeria is really faced--across every2234region of the country is facing some form of insecurity or the2235other. There are different forms of conflict. All of them2236overlapping in some ways or the other and all protracted over2237time. So they all take on a different shape or form of their2238own.2239    Mr. Jackson of Illinois. Is there a commonality.2240    Ms. Onubogu. The underlying issue there is a lack of2241governance and also just the weaknesses in holding perpetrators2242accountable for their actions. That is the underlying issue2243there.2244    Mr. Jackson of Illinois. OK. Would you like to add to that,2245Mr. Perkins?2246    Mr. Perkins. I agree. And when we are talking about the2247issue of governance, it is really kind of the hub which2248despokes of the programs. And without the hub, the programs2249don't really work. They will collapse. And I am familiar with2250some of those programs--one that you actually mentioned. There2251is also a lot of nongovernmental organizations that are working2252to facilitate communication between various faith groups, not2253just in Nigeria, but around the world.2254    But when you have a lack of response--as the Bishop2255testified--there was a 2-week notice given, but no response2256from the government.2257    And so until we get the attention of the hub, and we get2258Nigeria's government agreeing that they have got to reform and2259provide protection and rights for all their people, I don't2260think our programs work.2261    Mr. Jackson of Illinois. Well, let me ask you one other2262question generally to the panel. Will the CPC increase or2263decrease food security amongst the Nigerians?2264    Mr. Perkins. Well, I will say from history what we have2265found is that the CPC status gets the attention of the2266government and----2267    Mr. Jackson of Illinois. The question is will it increase2268or decrease?2269    Mr. Perkins. Well, I think long-term it will increase2270because it will deal with the underlying issues which have2271created instability, insecurity in the country.2272    Mr. Jackson of Illinois. How about in the short-term?2273    Mr. Perkins. We have a real risk in the short-term just2274because of present circumstances. As we have talked about, the2275bread belt or the bread basket of the country is being--the2276farmers are being displaced. So we have a real issue. And this2277is why this is urgent is because if we don't address it now--2278and you see the migration coming out of Nigeria as has been2279testified to today--the surrounding countries can't handle it.2280You will have a serious shortage of food, shelter, and2281security.2282    Mr. Jackson of Illinois. OK. Thank you. I am very familiar2283with the region and the insecurity on the northern borders.2284Probably the last part I will leave to that is we first start2285with the demographics. And I would assume most of us are2286Christians that are in here. And when you have children, even2287scripturally, the Bible has a mandate on us feeding the2288children. I don't think many of the children in Nigeria that2289ideologically are drawn--if you look at more than half the2290population, the 110 million people that are under the age of 182291years of age are not that ideologically driven. And I looked up2292a number that yesterday I found probably pretty astounding,2293that 41 percent of the population of Nigerians are under the2294age of 15. Forty-one percent of the population is under the age2295of 15.2296    I think that the CPC would enhance more insecurity for2297food. I think it is very important that you feed children, and2298out of that you can gain their attention. Even we know the2299scriptures of Jesus having had the lunch and fed the multitude.2300And he brought those children in. He fed them and asked them to2301come forth. Ms. Shea?2302    Ms. Shea. Yes, thank you. Yes, I agree that food and2303medicine need to continue in our foreign assistance programs2304for Nigeria. I think that we also need to tackle the underlying2305issues of terror and violence so that people can go back to2306farming. Because there is a dirth of arable farmland.2307    So I do think that giving hope, giving--sustaining the2308people during this period is important, but it is also2309important to correct the problem. Because this is a man-made2310problem of extremism, of violence, of AKs being handed out. And2311it is outrageous that the government doesn't take back the land2312that has been taken and give it back to their proper owners.2313That is no way to run a country.2314    So the beauty of CPC is that it has sanctions that are2315surgical that can target particular people, not the entire2316country. I wouldn't recommend CPC to have a sanction that would2317cutoff food or medical aid.2318    Mr. Jackson of Illinois. Are there any dangers to using2319CPC? Any downside?2320    Ms. Shea. I don't see any downside. I see--you know, it is2321like a terrorism index. You need to have a factual analysis on2322what are the problems of the country to solve them. And if we2323only see climate change, which is a problem, but if that is the2324sole rationale--and that is what the UNHCR seems to think based2325on its writings on its website.2326    The Mimi case that I gave in my testimony, they concluded2327was the result of climate change, only. They ignored the2328religious identities involved, and the intense and motives of2329the people who were attacking Mimi and her family.2330    So climate change is a problem. There are no short-term2331solutions to that. There is a short-term solution to2332radicalization and violence and criminality. It is police work.2333    Mr. Jackson of Illinois. OK. Mr. Chairman, in closing, a2334population that is under 30 that is 70 percent, I think that2335our Nation will be best served in trying to get this young2336nation that is now showing its maturity in forming a democracy,2337that is still extremely fragile, that has a lot of conflict2338borders on the north that I think are creating more hardship on2339such a young population, and particularly on children that are2340under the age of 15, I like food as a tool more than sanctions2341and punitive measures. I think it is theologically sound, and I2342have not heard that being expressed. Mr. Chairman, I yield2343back.2344    Mr. Smith. Thank you. I want to just yield myself a couple2345of minutes, and then I will go to my colleague.2346    Just for the record, and I thank you for your concern for2347food. I have written two laws, Global Food Security Act, which2348is our law. The IRFA bill when we did it back in 1998, we made2349sure that humanitarian assistance was exempted. The idea of2350taking away food security--and your point was well taken--would2351be counterproductive.2352    I think one of the hallmarks of the legislation on Global2353Food Security Act was to emphasize the first thousand days of2354life from conception to the second birthday. That if mother and2355baby get the food, folic acid, all kinds of supplementation,--2356and we do have a very good program, as you know, as does the2357U.N. on those things, food security--you get healthier kids.2358    And one of the focuses that we have had in Nigeria and2359elsewhere, but especially in Nigeria is stunting. And when you2360have that first thousand days fully--and the women get the2361supplementation, good solid nutrition, baby and mother thrive.2362    So great point. But the good news is that in writing the2363legislation, we want to make sure that that was not mal-2364affected in any country, including Nigeria. And I would just2365add that where all of these supplementations have happened,2366including places like Honduras, which has another problem with2367stunting, it doesn't go away, but it greatly mitigates it. So2368thank you for your point.2369    I mean, food is just so essential. And the beauty of the2370IRFA bill is that it does provide--you know, it is a two-step2371process. I think you all know this. But the first one is the2372designation; getting it right and calling out an egregious2373violator in terms of what they are doing or what they are2374tolerating by not answering the call, and the Bishop and anyone2375else says to the police, please come. We have got a, you know,2376motorcyclist here, and they are killing people. And they don't2377show up. And they never show up. And then there is no2378accountability. There is no investigation. There is no2379prosecution. I mean, that is just absolutely egregious.2380    So designating the country as a CPC gets them on the record2381that we have taken note, you have violated our law, and we are2382going to take action.2383    Now the next point is the action phase, and that is purely2384up to the administration no matter who is in the White House.2385And as Mr. Perkins indicated, there has been a lack of part 22386since 1998.2387    We find the exact same thing on trafficking. I wrote our2388trafficking laws, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. I am2389the prime author of it. It has the same double edge. You start2390off by designating a country. Be honest and accurate if they2391have a problem with sex and labor trafficking. And that part 22392is the enforcement of sanctions that are prescribed in the law.2393    So I am all, you know, with you on the same page. We have2394got to make sure that food security is available and people are2395helped by it. So thank you for that. I appreciate that very2396much.2397    I would like to now recognize Mr. Olszewski for such time2398as he may consume.2399    Mr. Olszewski. Thank you all very much. Representative2400Olszewski from Baltimore. I really appreciate you, Chairman2401Smith, our ranking member. And I want to thank all of our2402witnesses, who I know many of whom have traveled a great2403distance. I really appreciate you being here. Thanks to modern2404technology. I am glad that I was able to listen in through the2405entirety of today's hearing, even as I dealt with traffic2406myself in my travels today.2407    I want to start my saying, as someone of deep faith like2408many of my colleagues here, I am deeply concerned about both2409religious freedoms and violence, religious violence, but also2410violence of all types. What we know that what is happening in2411Nigeria demands that we all work together. In response, I think2412we can agree that given the scale and the duration of the2413violence, given the importance of Nigeria as a country both to2414Africa, but also to the world, I think it really demands that2415we are open to thinking differently about our historical2416responses. But I think that we need to think holistically about2417that. And maybe that means not just looking at what our2418traditional tools have been.2419    I think we can start. And I would encourage this2420administration, the Trump administration, to openly call out2421the actions of the government and their failure to take action.2422I saw all of the heads nodding around the conversation around2423accountability across the board to a person. I think we could2424send our Secretary of State to go talk to the government to2425raise these concerns to lift up these American voices. And I2426think that we can then indicate that additional action might be2427forthcoming.2428    I think what is troubling as some of my colleagues have2429raised, however, though, is that event as we are contemplating2430sanctions and actions, we are seeing a retreat of our2431investment and our involvement in the country. A lot of2432conversations already happened around USAID, so I won't retread2433those, Mr. Chairman. But I do want to dig in a little bit2434around the issue of education, which is one of those issues2435that is deeply personal to me as a former educators. And it is2436also one of those places that have not been exempted from the2437funding freeze and the retractment that we are seeing. And I2438see the Bishop nodding. And I actually wanted to direct one of2439my questions to you, Bishop. Because as my colleague,2440Representative Jackson, mentioned there are so many young2441people in this country. They are the future of the country. And2442education, I think, is so foundational to the success of2443Nigeria, but also to combatting this religious persecution, the2444religious violence that we are seeing.2445    And so, you know, we know, for example, that Boko Haram and2446other terrorist organizations have targeted schools to2447undermine education across the country.2448    An estimated 2,000 Christian schools were attacked in2449Nigeria between 2009 and 2021. Hundreds of teachers have been2450deliberately killed with thousands more forced to flee. We know2451that also since 2014, the U.S. has invested in our primary2452education system in Nigeria, helping 2.9 million students2453improve their literacy and training. In 21,595 teachers and2454out-of-school youth programs, we have reached more than half a2455million children in effective conflict regions. Again, we know2456that proper education and effective education is a key to drive2457out violent extremism.2458    Again, the Trump administration canceled our education2459programs in Nigeria. So I would say, Bishop, if you could just2460speak a little bit about how we can keep our children safe and2461our educators safe and the impact of these programs. And I2462would just also open it up to anyone else on the panel who2463might want to talk a little bit about the importance of2464investing in education to tackle some of these issues as well.2465    Bishop Anagbe. Thank you very much for these but I think2466also just like you State, education is the key to the human2467development. And education for us is not just academic2468excellence or pursuance. But the holistic approach affects the2469person's life and is actually what this crisis of violence have2470continued for the past two decades is what we can't quantify.2471    In villages, we have schools that have been closed down,2472bombed, and people have left. These children are in the camps,2473and actually they don't have any basic form of training or2474formation. And, of course, some of them survived looking at2475their parents being killed. Maybe they are able to run, young2476children, the age of 12, 13. And there is some seriously and of2477serious concern, women are still giving birth in these camps,2478and without education. I am not talking about health or dignity2479for the women and all of that. But this basically means you2480have some people who are about 18 years who have not really had2481any basic education in some of these camps and this space. And,2482of course, it is difficult to change their orientation or2483mentality. Some of them are already because the need to de-2484radicalize them from some of these things that is going on in2485their minds. And this is close I tell you. That is like we are2486breeding another group of terrorists. And at the age of 25 they2487become enough to handle whatever they want to, and then nobody2488will stay.2489    And what we do maybe on my local level as a Bishop who had2490education in a major which actually working with the State2491government of my own, there are about 200 and something of2492these children, though, not as small, not a primary school, but2493secondary school in all my schools, 250 something in my2494schools, because this you can give them burden of education.2495    But I know what it means. What about the younger ones who2496can't leave their families or leave their mothers? We have2497talked similarly with the government to establish the schools2498in these camps. Whereby some of this is we have displaced our2499degree holders who can also take care of--and the government2500paid them the stipends for them to keep, and the government is2501not interested in it. But I tell you this is going to spare2502doom for a nation in this present age, whereby we are that2503education, I will say, is the key.2504    It is becoming so difficult. We are getting back to the2505barbaric stage. And that is what I think what these2506perpetrators want to be. And like you said, if they are able to2507handle this because bring them to go through this designation2508of CPC, many people will be held accountable for what is going2509on. Thereby, there was some fear instilled in them. If we do2510this, the government will come after you.2511    And the government is seriously minded and concerned. I2512tell you this is within. And it is not just immediately, yes,2513not just because of a short term. But I tell you, if the IDPs2514return to the ancestral homes, to be honest with you, in three2515or 4 years, they wouldn't ask anybody for feeding. Five years2516ago, they don't ask enough to feed them. Ten years ago, they2517don't get food from anybody because there are substantive2518farmers taking care of their needs. Twenty are children.2519Because a victim of that come from such a background.2520    My father, my parents, we are farmers, and that way he2521trained us. And I went to boarding school in the eighties. So I2522see no reason why we should not in this age. This is happening,2523and the government is keeping quiet.2524    That is where we are at, line for this because if this is2525not done we are going to breed hooligans as a Nation.2526    Mr. Olszewski. With that, Mr. Chairman, I will recommit to2527work with you and this subcommittee on any other actions we can2528work together on to look at this differently. I appreciate the2529answer. And I just will, I think, reinforce my earlier point2530that I hope to see this administration act in the meantime and2531also hope to work to find ways to not just reinstitute our2532funding for education. But also, I think this reenforces the2533point we should be doing more to help, especially our young2534people, whether it is vocational training so they can become2535substantive farmers, or to do more to ensure that we have this2536lack of radicalization among our young people. I think it is so2537important that we catch people young.2538    Mr. Perkins, it looks like you wanted to mention something.2539    Mr. Perkins. You are absolutely right. Education is a key2540element. And that is why the radical Islamists have been2541targeting the schools. There has been 17 mass abductions in the2542last 6 years from schools. Over 1,700 kids have been snatched2543out. And the reason for that, No. 1, is targeting girls to keep2544them from getting the education. So, again, it is the2545underlying issue of security of the government performing its2546role.2547    Mr. Olszewski. I know that that is true for Christians and2548Islam. Those are--and the schools alike, and I agree. But it is2549not an either/or, right? We can do both. We can both hold2550governments accountable for taking action for perpetrators.2551But, also, I think--I just wanted to reinforce the point, I2552think we also need to do the other piece of this work as well.2553So thank you, Mr. Chairman.2554    Mr. Smith. Thank you very much. Just to conclude--and2555anything you would like to add as we close--I would like to2556recognize Pastor Emmanuel Ogabi, who is a good friend. We2557traveled together a few times to Nigeria. He introduced me to2558the CAN, the Association of Christian Leaders. And he also was2559able to arrange for me to meet with several of the parents of2560Chibok girls. And that was moving beyond words to see how much2561suffering they were enduring. So thank you, Pastor, for your2562insights over many, many years.2563    We are also joined by Pastor Akila Yusef, who is the2564regional overseer of the All House On the Rock Churches in2565northeast Nigeria. He is the president of Cutting-Edge2566Ministries Network about 200 pastors in the Middle Belt region.2567So thank you to him for being here today. I deeply appreciate2568that.2569    And just to conclude--and again any final comments you2570might want to make--I would note that the Bishops's village was2571burnt yesterday. I mean, it is like it is ever present the2572violence that is being endured by the Christians, and to a2573lesser extent, but no less significant by the Muslims who are2574pioused and want to live out their faith.2575    I remember meeting with one Imam in Nawho who told me--and2576he spoke very highly of Christians. And he said, Boko Haram is2577not us. It is not us, but we can't speak out. If we do, we are2578targeted. And so I--another reason why we do not have a Muslim2579cleric from Nigeria here today.2580    But if you wanted to--let me just also point out, the2581letter that came to Mr. Huizenga, you know, part of our2582frustration has been that the Nigerian Government has not been2583successful. And they even acknowledge it in a letter explaining2584why they did not redesignate a country of particular concern to2585Nigeria. And they said the government has been working to find2586solutions to the problems, but it has been largely unsuccessful2587in addressing these threats.2588    How hard have they really worked? I mean, you know, law2589enforcement is so basic to any functioning society. And if it2590is the killers and the murderers and the rapists can operate2591with impunity, that democracy is a dire threat, and individual2592lives of believers are then put in grave risk as well.2593    Bishop, your point today and your testimony where you said,2594Militant Fulani herdsmen are terrorists. They steal and2595vandalize. They kill and boast about it. They kidnap and rape.2596And they enjoy total impunity from the elected officials. None2597of them have been arrested and brought to justice.2598    That is the message we are bringing to the government that2599we are aware of it, and we are going to do everything we can to2600try to get a CPC designation immediately from this2601administration.2602    What they do in terms of sanctioning is purely up to them.2603But hopefully there won't be a need because there will be a2604movement toward trying to address these unaddressed needs. And2605it is not like a lot of us haven't been raising it for2606decades--I have, you guys have, and many of you have been doing2607it forever. So we just--and, Tony, you as well. You know, we2608were not impatient. It just has to happen. So any final remarks2609before we conclude?2610    Bishop Anagbe. Thank you very much once again for this. My2611simple request, which I don't know how best it is going to go,2612but all the witnesses have been able to make it somehow to work2613with the community and the religious leaders.2614    For instance, I will say in case of assistance, in terms of2615funding, if it is possible for the religious leaders in those2616places be able to put them--I mean, come to know what exactly2617is coming to the area. Because we as religious leaders go to2618where government cannot go. And most of these people who are2619displaced eventually run back to the churches where everybody2620relies on a place that have safety. Humanity is speaking. Not2621just it is guaranteed. But then same that they look after their2622needs and the basic things we can.2623    And we know if the government works, the Army will take2624people back to their homes and in a very short, why, five, 102625years, reasonably, Nigeria will bounce back to its status.2626    Ms. Onubogu. Thank you, Chairman Smith, again, for2627convening this hearing. And I hope that there will be future2628opportunities for hearings on Nigeria and other countries2629across the African continent to be able to discuss U.S.-Africa2630relations.2631    Just to restate a few points that I made about the2632importance of Nigeria, which is one that several U.S.2633administrations have often highlighted. What happens in Nigeria2634also impacts the broader West African region, and we are aware2635of the issues that are happening across West Africa.2636    On the question on security, Nigeria security challenges2637are also impacted by what happens outside of the country as2638well. In 2018, 2017, there was data that basically showed that2639a lot of the small arms that are present in Nigeria that there2640are about 50 percent of the small arms in West African region2641are in Nigeria. Obviously, that might not have grown as well.2642So there are overlapping security challenges and significant2643help that is needed to restructure and reform Nigeria's2644security architecture.2645    I think at the end of the day, we have to examine and ask,2646you know, how labels and designations could work, and if those2647actually address the root causes of the issues that we are2648trying to tackle in Nigeria. And I think the need leaving it on2649that point is the root causes of the conflicts that we see are2650complex, and it is important that there is holistic efforts on2651the part of the U.S. in partnership with Nigerian Government2652and civil society actors to address the cause of these2653conflicts.2654    Mr. Smith. Thank you, again, to our distinguished2655witnesses. I do want to note that Samson Adejorin who is here2656who is the charge for the Nigerian Embassy, thank you for2657joining us today.2658    I will also point out, you know, in terms of capability, I2659remember being in Bosnia during the war there, I was in Darfur2660years later, and I ran into a peacekeeper who was at both2661cases. Where was he from? Nigeria. Totally committed to2662securing the peace. Major Ajumbo was his name. And I was so2663moved by him. You know, he was so committed to peace. So there2664is a capability there that needs to be recognized, realized,2665and really led by those in authority. And that has what is been2666lacking, you know, failure to govern to quote one of our2667witnesses today.2668    So thank you so much. I want to thank our witnesses for2669their valuable testimony and the members for their questions.2670The members of the subcommittee may have some additional2671questions for the witnesses. And we will ask that you respond2672to them in writing pursuant to the committee rules. All members2673have 5 days to submit statements, questions, and extraneous2674materials for the record subject to the length limitations.2675Without objection, the committee stands adjourned. And thank2676you so very much.2677    [Whereupon, at 11:37 a.m., the subcommittee was adjourned.]26782679                                APPENDIX26802681                               ----------26822683               Material Submitted for the Hearing Record26842685[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]26862687                                [all]