Republicans demand more progress in halting Christian persecution in Nigeria

As Christians continue to suffer persecution and the death toll from ethnoreligious conflicts keeps rising in Nigeria, some Republican lawmakers are urging the Department of State to demand more accountability of the Nigerian government.

“I really question, along with many others, as to whether enough has been done,” Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Michigan, said during a Nov. 12 hearing by the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa.

“My question is, has any work been done?” he asked. “Has any real work been done?”

The subcommittee convened to assess the ongoing crisis of terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, and mass casualty attacks rooted in ethnoreligious violence, in which Christians make up a disproportionate share of the victims. Much of the violence is perpetuated by Fulani Ethnic Militias but also includes attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province.

Two Department of State assistant secretaries — Frank Garcia and Riley Barnes — along with specialists in religious freedom and international relations delivered testimony slightly more than one year after President Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a country of particular concern (CPC) for its…