Abuja / Washington — The U.S. House of Representatives committee has reportedly submitted a detailed report to the White House alleging a “genocide” against Christians in Nigeria, according to sources cited by Dalena Reporters. The development adds renewed urgency to the debate over religious violence in Nigeria and could shape future U.S. policy.
The report was prepared by a bipartisan House investigative panel tasked with examining claims of systematic killings, persecution, and displacement of Christians in Nigeria. Rep. Riley Moore, a leading voice in the investigation, is said to have pushed for strong accountability measures, including restrictive sanctions and public naming of officials allegedly complicit in the attacks.
Sources familiar with the matter say the report draws on testimonies from U.S.-based Nigerian diaspora groups, human rights organisations, and victims’ families. It highlights the role of extremist groups—such as Boko Haram—and accuses parts of the Nigerian state of failing to adequately protect religious minorities.
In response to the mounting pressure, Nigerian lawmakers have defended their government. The Senate recently established a 12-member committee to coordinate the government’s response to the U.S. allegations. The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has strongly rejected the genocide claims, calling them politically motivated and likely to deepen national divisions.
Experts say a report submitted to the White House may lead to several possible U.S. policy outcomes: renewed sanctions, diplomatic pressure, or even a re-evaluation of military assistance to Nigeria.
However, some U.S. lawmakers involved in the inquiry argue that while criminal designation (i.e., “genocide”) carries legal weight, the most immediate and feasible tool is targeted economic sanctions, particularly against individuals deemed responsible for human rights abuses.
As the White House reviews the report, Nigerians — especially Christian communities in the Middle Belt and North — are watching closely. For many, it represents a rare moment when international attention may translate into real pressure on Abuja to address insecurity and protect religious minorities.