Congressman Bill Huizenga Urges Timely Action Against V!olence in Nigeria, Reflecting on Rwanda’s Tragedy

“Radical Islamists are targeting Christians in Nigeria, and the Tinubu Government is failing to adequately address this religious violence. As both a policymaker and a person of faith, the situation in Nigeria deeply concerns me. The Christian Reformed Church of North America, based in Grand Rapids, represents around 400,000 members, while the Christian Reformed Church in Nigeria has a membership of approximately 500,000. My faith community in West Michigan shares historical connections to Nigeria, dating back to the 1920s, when missionaries began their work in what is now Taraba State. It is imperative that Nigeria enhances its efforts to safeguard all innocent individuals, including Christians, within its borders.

Just before Thanksgiving, the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa convened a hearing focused on Nigeria. During this session, I expressed my frustration with members of Congress, the American media, and the Nigerian Government for minimizing the severity of the atrocities occurring. The religious violence inflicted upon Christians and moderate Muslims is unacceptable.

These radicalized Islamists have attacked both churches and mosques, kidnapping, killing, and intimidating religious leaders and individuals of faith while citing Shari’a Law as their rationale. Last month, I spoke with Arise TV regarding the ongoing violence in Nigeria. Regrettably, I had to acknowledge that the Nigerian Government is not taking sufficient steps to protect not just Christians, but all its citizens. While the Tinubu Administration does not view the violence against Christians as a critical issue, I certainly do.

I proudly co-sponsor H Res. 860, which praises the Trump Administration for designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, urging the Administration to impose sanctions on individuals and entities in Nigeria that support this terrible violence. Furthermore, this resolution calls for strict, verifiable conditions on any U.S. aid directed towards Nigeria. The United States was too late to act in Rwanda and South Sudan; it is crucial that we do not repeat that mistake in Nigeria.”