Christianity At Risk of Elimination in North & Middle Belt — Nigerian Bishop Tells U.S. Lawmakers!

Christianity At Risk of Elimination in North & Middle Belt — Nigerian Bishop Tells U.S. Lawmakers!

Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa

Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi has warned U.S. lawmakers that Christianity is facing elimination in Nigeria’s North and Middle Belt regions due to sustained attacks, land‑grabs, and alleged government inactive­ness. [1]

“We live in fear, because at any point it can be our turn to be killed,” the bishop said during his March 2025 testimony before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee. [2]

Key Details:

• Bishop Anagbe told the U.S. hearing that militants and herders were not only attacking Christian communities but that government response was weak or non‑existent. [1]
• He described a “long‐term Islamic agenda to homogenise the population” and claimed the attacks were both violent and non‑violent attempts to “reduce and eventually eliminate the Christian identity” in the region. [3]
• The bishop also appealed to the U.S. to redesignate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act. [4]

Why It Matters:

• The warning amplifies international scrutiny over Nigeria’s security and religious freedom record, especially among Christian communities in vulnerable zones.
• It may influence U.S. policy, aid decisions, and bilateral relations, particularly as Nigeria was recently redesignated as a CPC. [5]
• Raises broader questions about how the Nigerian government classifies and responds to violence — whether as terrorism, communal conflict, or religious persecution.

What to Watch:

• Whether the U.S. acts on the bishop’s plea—via sanctions, diplomatic pressure, or aid conditionality.
• The Nigerian government’s response to the allegations of targeted attacks and whether concrete actions are taken.
• Developments in the North & Middle Belt regions—including whether attacks intensify or protective measures improve.

Citations:

1. National Catholic Register: www.ncregister.com/news/nigerian-bishop-decries-anti-christian-attacks?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2. Christianity Today: www.christianitytoday.com/2025/03/nigeria-religious-freedom-persecution-us-concern/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
3. Congress.gov: www.congress.gov/119/crec/2025/07/25/171/128/modified/CREC-2025-07-25-pt1-PgE728.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com
4. Middlebelt Times: middlebelttimes.com/2025/10/08/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
5. AP News: apnews.com/article/83c1df230dbcdc30178baab083fffd94?utm_source=chatgpt.com

About The Author

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan

editor

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan is a dynamic journalist and editorial leader committed to excellence in news reporting and storytelling. As the Editor-in-Chief of Sele Media Africa, she ensures daily operations run smoothly while upholding the highest editorial standards. With a strong eye for detail and deep understanding of audience engagement, Marian coordinates content across platforms, guiding teams to produce compelling, timely, and credible news. Her leadership reflects the heart of Sele Media Africa’s mission—to inform, inspire, and elevate voices across the continent.

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