In a pointed appeal to global policymakers, U.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-Michigan) has sharply criticised the Nigerian government’s response to repeated attacks on Christian communities, describing Abuja’s handling of the crisis as “dismissive” and insufficient.
Speaking in an interview with Arise Television, Huizenga said the ongoing violence appears to show “organised and targeted assaults” on Christians across Nigeria — a pattern he worries could spiral into a larger humanitarian catastrophe if not addressed soon.
Having met with survivors and faith leaders in affected areas, Huizenga said he heard deeply concerning testimony: “They know that when their homes are being entered or they’re attacked in the middle of the night, this is not just some sort of ‘people in conflict’ situation. They feel very much targeted.”
Drawing parallels with other alarm-bell moments in global crises, he warned: “We were too late on Rwanda. We were too late on South Sudan and a number of other atrocities that have happened in Africa and other places around the world. So let’s not be too late again on this one.”
He highlighted Nigeria’s strategic importance for regional stability and growth in West Africa, noting that a failure to protect vulnerable citizens could undermine not just Nigeria but the broader region’s prospects.
The Congressman specifically pointed to violence involving radicalised Islamist elements and ethnic-militia attacks — including those by Fulani-herders — and said that moderate Muslims as well as Christians are being targeted. But he emphasised the evidence he encountered suggesting Christian communities feel especially vulnerable.
In urging a shift beyond broad assurances, Huizenga called on the Nigerian government to lay out specific and proactive strategies to curb the violence, insisting that vague or conditional commitments are no longer enough. “What are you doing to protect not just Christians — but certainly Christians — and what are you doing and proposing to lower that violence threshold?” he asked.
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He added that he has not been satisfied with the Nigerian government’s response so far, saying “their response has been, ‘no, there’s really not a problem.’” He challenged Abuja to demonstrate both why it believes there is no problem and what concrete steps it will take if there is.
With security challenges in Nigeria escalating, Huizenga’s remarks amplify pressure from international actors who fear that the crisis — if left unchecked — could become another global failure to act.
