By Our Reporter
The Save Nigeria Group USA has participated in a United States congressional hearing on religious freedom and insecurity in Nigeria, joining lawmakers, government officials and human rights advocates to discuss measures to protect vulnerable communities, particularly in the Middle Belt.
The group’s leaders attended the US House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa hearing titled, “One Year Later: Assessing Nigeria’s Efforts to Protect Christians and Secure the Middle Belt,” held on Capitol Hill.
The engagement also formed part of the organisation’s ongoing advocacy for an end to attacks on Christian communities and other vulnerable populations across Nigeria’s Middle Belt and northern states.
The hearing was chaired by Representative Chris Smith, with participation from Ranking Member Representative Sara Jacobs, Representative Jonathan Jackson, Representative Bill Huizenga and Representative Riley Moore.
Officials from the US Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs and Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor also participated, alongside human rights experts from Open Doors US and the Hudson Institute.
According to Save Nigeria Group USA, discussions focused on accountability for perpetrators of violence, prosecution of terrorism suspects, intelligence gathering, protection of democratic processes and legislative measures to strengthen religious freedom.
On accountability, expert witnesses reportedly called for more decisive action against those responsible for attacks on Christian farming communities in Benue and Plateau states, particularly armed groups identified in the group’s statement as militant Fulani ethnic militias.
Participants also stressed the importance of prosecuting apprehended terrorism suspects, arguing that bringing alleged perpetrators to justice would demonstrate the seriousness of efforts to end the violence.
The group said witnesses acknowledged progress in counterterrorism cooperation between Abuja and Washington but maintained that stronger judicial action was necessary to sustain public confidence.
On intelligence gathering, Nina Shea of the Hudson Institute reportedly urged US intelligence agencies to expand their focus beyond Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) to include activities attributed to Fulani militias.
The security situation ahead of Nigeria’s forthcoming elections also featured prominently during the hearing.
Representative Riley Moore highlighted the connection between insecurity and democratic participation, stressing the importance of ensuring that Nigerians could vote for candidates of their choice without fear or intimidation.
Lawmakers and panelists further discussed recommendations associated with the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), including proposed legislation to restrict countries designated as Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) from engaging lobbyists in the United States.
On Nigeria’s CPC designation, Save Nigeria Group USA said the US Department of State indicated that the designation would be maintained as a means of pressuring the Nigerian government to take stronger action against attacks on Christians, moderate Muslims and other vulnerable communities.
The group also said discussions highlighted the need for continued collaboration through the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group to address security and religious freedom concerns.
Those who represented Save Nigeria Group USA at the engagement included its President, Stephen Osemwegie; Director, Chuma Okeke; Director, Autumn Miller; Secretary, Uzochukwu Nwokwu; Director, Florence Koya; and Senior Special Adviser, Deborah Wright Igiehon.
Two Nigerian elected and former public officials were also listed among those in attendance: former member of the House of Representatives and former Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Rt. Hon. E.J. Agbonayinma, and serving House of Representatives member and Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Army, Rt. Hon. Evangelist David Agada Ogewu.
In a statement following the engagement, Save Nigeria Group USA reaffirmed its commitment to working with American lawmakers, international partners and Nigerian communities to promote religious freedom, accountability and lasting peace.
The organisation said its advocacy was aimed at building a safe and prosperous Nigeria where citizens could live without discrimination based on tribe, ethnicity or religious belief.
It urged Nigerians and international partners to support its mission through its website, www.savenigeriagroup.org.