The Nigerian Senate has resolved to engage with members of the United States Congress to address what it described as misleading narratives framing the country’s security challenges as a campaign of Christian genocide.
Gatekeepers News reports that the resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Ali Ndume, which prompted a broad debate among lawmakers over Nigeria’s international image and the growing perception of religiously motivated violence.
The motion was in reaction to recent discussions in the U.S. Senate and Congress, alongside renewed calls by advocacy groups urging Washington to designate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over alleged religious persecution.
Lawmakers, during plenary, voiced concern that such narratives, though often rooted in humanitarian concern, were distorting the realities of Nigeria’s security challenges and harming the nation’s global reputation and economy.
Akpabio Proposes Delegation to U.S. Congress
Senate President Godswill Akpabio proposed the establishment of an ad hoc committee to visit the United States and directly engage with American legislators to clarify the true situation on the ground.
“There are misconceptions that need to be corrected,” Akpabio said. “We are dealing with a complex terrorist threat, and it’s important that our counterparts in the U.S. understand that the violence affects both Christians and Muslims.”
He further suggested that discussions on the matter be held in private, recommending a closed-door session and a smaller, focused delegation for the engagement.
Senators Cite Non-Sectarian Nature of Attacks
Contributing to the debate, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim emphasised the need for Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts to be anchored in knowledge-based strategies rather than influenced by external misrepresentations.
He noted that the recently approved National Security Summit aims to generate local, data-driven solutions to the country’s security challenges.
The motion also cited several examples illustrating that the violence in Nigeria cuts across religious lines.
It highlighted that in Plateau State, attacks on predominantly Christian farming communities in July 2023 claimed over 20 lives. Conversely, in Katsina and Zamfara States, bandit raids on mainly Muslim villages in August 2023 resulted in dozens of deaths. Similarly, in Borno and Kaduna States, terrorist groups have targeted both churches and mosques, killing victims from both faiths.
Senate to Revisit Motion in Executive Session
Given the sensitivity of the issue, the Senate Leader moved a motion to temporarily step down further debate for consideration in an executive session, where members would refine Nigeria’s position and finalise the composition of the delegation to the U.S.
The motion was seconded by Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central).
