The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Wilfred Anagbe, has urged the United States to follow through on Nigerias renewed designation as a Country of Particular Concern with concrete, enforceable action. Testifying on Thursday, November 20, before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Africa, which is reviewing Donald Trumps decision to redesignate Nigeria as a CPC, Anagbe thanked the former president and lawmakers for reviving the classification but said it must be backed by decisive measures. On behalf of millions of Christians in Nigeria and in the diaspora, we want to thank President Donald Trump for his bold leadership in designating Nigeria as a CPC. I commend you and this subcommittee for ongoing efforts on this matter. It is a vital step, but must be backed by serious action. One, use the Magnitsky Act for targeted sanctions against Nigerian government officials and others tolerating or condoning Islamic violence in the country, Anagbe said. He called on lawmakers to tie U.S. security and humanitarian support to measurable improvements on the ground. Expand humanitarian support for IDPs. The IDPs must return to their ancestral homes, and this requires security guarantees from the Nigerian Government, he said. The bishop also urged assistance to rebuild livelihoods, emphasising the need for accountability legislation. They must be supported to rebuild their economic livelihood and enjoy basic services such as education and sanitation. Support this Nigerian Religious Freedom Accountability Act to hold perpetrators accountable. This point cannot be overemphasised because impunity fuels the violence we suffer, he said. Anagbe recounted the suffering of Christian communities in Benue, saying many remain traumatised. He told lawmakers that one priest he knows cannot walk after surviving a terrorist attack. He accused the federal government of downplaying death tolls and abandoning survivors. He further argued that Trumps earlier CPC designation aimed to stabilise Nigeria but worsened the safety of Christians. Still, he insisted the violence must be stopped, noting that the classification brought joy, hope and spiritual resilience to targeted communities but cannot resolve the crisis on its own. Irrespective of who is being killed, the prime question is: are there killings in Nigeria? The government should stop it. It requires political, military and humanitarian interventions. Mr Chairman and members, the blood of Nigerian Christians cries out to you. We cannot afford to wait any longer. Use every tool of U.S. influence to demand change. America has a unique role in defending religious freedom globally. Please enact concrete action according to the CPC designation. We all know that inaction emboldens extremists even more, he said. The committee is expected to hear from senior U.S. State Department officials and Nigerian religious leaders as the controversy surrounding Nigerias redesignation continues. Tensions escalated after Trump reinstated Nigeria on the CPC list on 31 October 2025, alleging systematic persecution of Christians. When pressed by reporters aboard Air Force One, he confirmed that military options were being considered. The Nigerian government has strongly rejected the claims. President Bola Tinubu said, Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty. The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our reality. American rapper Nicki Minaj also weighed in during a U.S. Mission to the United Nations event, saying, No group should ever be attacked because of its faith, stressing that her remarks were intended to promote unity. Nigeria was first designated a CPC in 2020 under Trump, before President Joe Biden removed the label shortly after taking office.
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