Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., warned that Nigeria must confront its worsening anti-Christian violence, issuing the call shortly after armed terrorists kidnapped hundreds from a Catholic boarding school in Niger State.
“Religiously motivated violence against predominantly Christian communities, as well as moderate Muslims, in Nigeria is real — and unfortunately, only getting worse,” Smith said in a statement. “It would be a gross understatement and a blatant denial to refer to serious and sustained attacks against religious communities in Nigeria of this magnitude as anything but acts of religious persecution.”
Militants stormed St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School in Niger State early Nov. 21 and abducted students and staff. Kontagora Diocese Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna said militants took 315 students and staff from the diocesan school, CatholicVote previously reported.
Smith called for prayers and urged the Nigerian government to deploy every available resource to investigate the attack, secure the victims’ safe return, and stop religiously motivated attacks.
The abduction came one day after a congressional hearing Smith chaired on President Donald Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.
Smith also pressed Nigerian authorities to take seriously the threats made against activists, church leaders, and witnesses who have publicly described religious persecution in the country — including several who testified at his hearing. He said officials must act quickly to protect them from retaliation.
“The protection and safety of these courageous individuals must be paramount to both U.S. and Nigerian authorities,” Smith said. “[A]cts of violence, such as this, disincentivize Nigerians from speaking out about these atrocities and terrify them into silence.”
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