U.S. Congressional Mission Highlights Rising Persecution of Christians in Nigeria Amid Growing Terrorist Threat
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Christmas Day 2025, U.S. forces launched targeted missile and drone strikes against Islamist terrorist groups in Nigeria, marking a significant escalation in American involvement aimed at curbing the brutal killings of Christians and other civilians in the region. This military action, coordinated closely with Nigerian counterparts, underscores the growing threat posed by Boko Haram and Fulani militias as Nigeria grapples with widespread violence.
Just a week prior to the strikes, a U.S. congressional delegation returned from a fact-finding mission in Nigeria, revealing the stark contrast between relative calm in the capital, Abuja, and the pervasive fear gripping Christian communities in rural areas. Representative Michael Baumgartner, who participated in the mission, described kneeling in a church in Abuja alongside congregants who, despite the turmoil elsewhere, experienced a semblance of normalcy. Yet outside the capital, Christian farmers and villagers in Nigeria’s volatile middle belt live under constant threat of raids, church burnings, kidnappings, and killings.
According to congressional records, more than 7,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria in 2025 alone, with over 19,000 churches attacked or destroyed. The Vatican News reports that since 2009, over 52,000 Christians have lost their lives in the country. These staggering figures highlight a crisis that demands urgent attention from the international community.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and the continent’s largest democracy, is on track to become the world’s third most populous country by 2050, with an estimated 400 million people. The country’s vast oil reserves and rich deposits of rare earth minerals make it strategically vital. However, persistent instability fueled by terrorist groups threatens Nigeria’s democratic progress and regional security.
In November 2025, then-President Donald Trump had pressed Nigerian leaders to intensify efforts against terrorism, setting the stage for the joint military strikes that followed. The operation was executed under the coordination of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), reflecting a deepening partnership between the two nations in combating Islamist extremism.
Experts warn that the violence in Nigeria is part of a broader pattern of jihadist expansion across the Sahel region, where groups linked to Boko Haram and Fulani militias recruit and spread terror. The U.S. Department of State’s 2025 Country Reports on Terrorism emphasize that the Nigerian conflict poses a strategic challenge not only to regional stability but also to global security interests.
Despite the grim realities on the ground, many Nigerians continue to demonstrate resilience. Faith leaders and community members met with the congressional delegation to share firsthand accounts of living under siege. Their testimonies reveal a population caught between hope and fear, striving to maintain their traditions and religious practices amid ongoing violence.
As the world moves past the holiday headlines, the situation in Nigeria remains dire. The United States faces a critical decision in balancing diplomatic, military, and humanitarian responses to support one of Africa’s most important democracies. The ongoing persecution of Christians and other vulnerable groups in Nigeria is a stark reminder that terrorism and religious violence are challenges the global community cannot ignore.
For more information on U.S. efforts to combat terrorism and support Nigeria, visit the U.S. Department of State and Department of Defense websites.
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