Genocide: Christianity Risks Elimination in North, Middle Belt, Nigerian Bishop Tells US Lawmakers

Christianity faces genocide and risk of being wiped out in parts of the North and Middle Belt, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Wilfred Anagbe, has warned in testimony before the United States House Subcommittee on Africa.

Anagbe told US lawmakers on Thursday that Nigeria was entering “one of its darkest periods” for Christians, citing unrelenting killings, mass displacement and targeted attacks carried out “with impunity.”

“Christianity risks elimination in parts of Northern and Middle-Belt Nigeria within a very short time,” Anagbe stated, describing the violence as a systematic effort to wipe out Christian communities and erase their cultural and religious identity.

The bishop said the ongoing crises marked by killings, kidnappings and widespread destruction have intensified despite recent international attention, including the redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern by US President Donald Trump.

He called that move “a serious, well-founded wakeup call.”

He said, “Millions of displaced persons remain in camps, unable to return to their ancestral lands. This threatens cultural continuity, religious and economic survival.”

He added that women “endure sexual violence as a weapon,” warning that such tactics are designed to ensure that “no more Christians will be born from so many traumatised women.”

Anagbe recounted a series of recent violent incidents, including the May 22 attack on his hometown, where several of his relatives were killed.

“An entire convent of Reverend Sisters of the Order of St. Clare was displaced, along with the local Catholic parish,” he said.

He also described the attempted killing of one of his priests, Father Solomon Atongo, on May 24.

“He was shot and left to die in the pool of his blood. Though he survived the attack, he is unable to walk freely because he has a broken bone,” he added.

The bishop referenced attacks across Plateau, Benue, Kaduna and Kogi, including the June 13 massacre in Yelwata, Benue State, where he said 278 people — men, women and children — were slaughtered.

“It took the prayers of the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, for the government in Nigeria to even acknowledge this evil,” he said.

He accused the Federal Government of failing to confront the crisis.

“The government of Nigeria’s silence and refusal to engage in the fates of continued killings and displacements has deepened feelings of abandonment among the people,” he said.

The bishop asked lawmakers pointedly, “Who is killing the Muslims up north? Is there any Christian militia displacing millions and occupying lands in Nigeria?”

According to the bishop, extremist groups—including militants, Boko Haram and ISWAP—are now pushing further South, worsening food insecurity and creating one of the largest displacement crises in Africa.

“Violence is spreading southward, displacing millions and destroying farmland,” he noted.

Anagbe thanked the subcommittee for its continued attention and reiterated his gratitude to President Donald Trump.

“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,” he said.

But he insisted that words must be followed by action.

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Among other steps, he called for targeted sanctions, expanded humanitarian support for internally displaced persons, and the passage of the Nigerian Religious Freedom and Accountability Act.

“This point cannot be overemphasised because it is impunity that fuels the violence we suffer,” he told the committee.

He urged allies to challenge discriminatory laws in Nigeria and push for the elimination of blasphemy laws.

As he closed, Anagbe warned that time is running out for Christian communities.

“The church alone cannot stop the killings. It requires coordinated political, military and humanitarian intervention,” he said.

His final plea was solemn and urgent, “Mr Chairman and members, we cannot afford to wait any longer. Please enact concrete actions according to the CPC designation. We all know that inaction emboldens the extremists even more.”