On Thursday, November 20, U.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga delivered an emotional testimony before the House Subcommittee on Africa, harshly criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its perceived failure to confront escalating violence in Nigeria.
During the proceedings—focused on Nigeria’s redesignation as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC)—Huizenga accused the Nigerian government of “sitting back” as attacks intensify. He expressed deep frustration, arguing that the administration has not responded with the urgency demanded by the scale of the crisis.
Huizenga went on to fault Nigeria’s delegation in Washington for downplaying the seriousness of the violence. “It ought to be outrageous that it is Christians, moderate Muslims, and anyone being terrorised by these radicalised Islamists in Nigeria,” he said, asserting that the government’s response is insufficient.
He also voiced concern over dismissals or minimizations of the killings by media outlets and some members of Congress. The congressman shared personal ties to Nigeria — noting that he went to school with Nigerians and has friends and neighbors who have served there — and emphasized that many in the U.S. are aware of the violence, even if others refuse to acknowledge it.
Reflecting on a particularly devastating attack, he referenced a Christmas Eve 2023 massacre that claimed around 200 lives, noting that such incidents indicate a broader failure to improve security.
Huizenga also challenged the notion that the violence is sectarian in both directions, posing the provocative question: “Do we see Christians killing Muslims the way radicalised Islamists kill Christians in Muslim areas?”
His remarks come as U.S. lawmakers consider more forceful measures — including targeted economic sanctions — to pressure Nigeria into addressing religiously motivated violence and protecting its citizens.
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