The United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa has scheduled an open hearing for Thursday, November 20, 2025, to review President Donald Trump’s recent redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.

The CPC label, if approved by the Senate, would permit the United States to impose sanctions on Nigerian officials implicated in religious persecution and restrict certain bilateral assistance.

It also serves as an indication to the global community that the issue of religious freedom in Nigeria is considered a serious matter by Washington.

The hearing will hold at 11:00 a.m. in Room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office Building, streamed live online, and chaired by Representative Chris Smith of New Jersey.

Two panels of witnesses are expected, with appearances from top US State Department officials and Nigerian religious leaders.

An invitation sent to members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs stated, “You are respectfully requested to attend an open hearing of the Committee on Foreign Affairs to be held by the Subcommittee on Africa at 11:00 a.m. in Room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office Building.”

According to the document, the first panel will include Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of African Affairs, Jonathan Pratt, and Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Jacob McGee.

The second panel is expected to feature the Director of the Centre for Religious Freedom, Ms Nina Shea; Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Makurdi Catholic Diocese; and Ms Oge Onubogu from the Centre for Strategic & International Studies.

The hearing will assess the extent of religious persecution in Nigeria and consider possible policy measures such as sanctions, aid interventions, and cooperative efforts with the Nigerian government to reduce violence.

On October 31, 2025, President Trump named Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” due to alleged violations of religious freedom, a move that reignited debate on Christian-targeted attacks and the possibility of US action.

In justifying the designation, Trump accused Nigerian authorities of allowing widespread persecution of Christians, claiming that thousands had been killed by radical Islamist elements.

He warned that the United States could impose sanctions or even take military action if Nigeria failed to address the situation.

Trump further threatened to stop all forms of American support to Nigeria if the alleged killings continued.

“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now-disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.
“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians,” he said on November 1, 2025.

President Bola Tinubu responded by rejecting the claim, describing it as a distortion of Nigeria’s true religious landscape.

Using his official X account, Tinubu said the statements did not align with Nigeria’s constitutional commitment to religious freedom.

“‘Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty. The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality.
“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it,’” he said.

The renewed CPC designation follows recurring attacks on Christian communities involving extremist groups, kidnappings, and the burning of worship centres.

The matter is also before the US Senate, with Senator Ted Cruz serving as sponsor.

Nigeria had previously been designated a CPC by Trump in 2020 until President Joe Biden removed the country from the list upon assuming office.

Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, who is scheduled to testify before the House Committee, recently raised concerns about Christian-targeted violence within Nigeria.

During an address at the UK Parliament on March 25, 2025, he criticised mass killings by Islamist extremists and militant Fulani herdsmen.

As a guest of the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, he informed lawmakers that members of his diocese had lost their homes to arson and were displaced into camps.

He stated that communities in Benue State had experienced systematic attacks from extremists and herders, including the destruction of farmland, churches, and the killing of clergy and laypersons.

“The militant Fulani herdsmen bear down on defenseless villagers without consequence.
“They follow orders to conquer, kill, and occupy. They attack even those who have managed to escape into our IDP camps,” he told the UK Parliament.

Representative Riley Moore of West Virginia, speaking to Fox News on Sunday, said investigations into Nigeria’s killings were already underway within several congressional committees.

He stated, “We’ve already started that investigation… we’re working with the State Department and (others) in the White House… We’re going to get to the bottom of this.”

Moore said the situation in Nigeria was “horrific,” describing the killings as targeting Christians.

Responding to Tinubu’s position that Trump’s claims did not reflect Nigeria’s reality, Moore disagreed, saying, “Unfortunately, that is completely false. I mean, there are states in Nigeria that have blasphemy laws, people who are facing the death penalty right now for blasphemy against Islam.”

He added that a man who defended himself from an attack by a Fulani militant was now facing the death penalty, which he cited as evidence of persecution.

Moore said deaths among religious groups were “five to one, five to one Christians versus other minority, other religious affiliations in that country,” insisting that Christians were overwhelmingly the victims.

He argued that the US had a responsibility to intervene, describing the country as one that protects the persecuted.

He also explained that the CPC designation allows the American government to use sanctions, withhold development funds, restrict international financing, and consider other measures, including potential military action.

Pope Leo XIV also raised concerns about violence directed at Christians worldwide, including in Nigeria.

His statement on X came days after Trump’s warning of possible US military intervention over alleged Christian genocide.

The Pope said, “‘In various parts of the world, Christians suffer discrimination and persecution. I think especially of Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mozambique, Sudan, and other countries from which we frequently hear of attacks on communities and places of worship.’”

He also prayed for victims in the Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, calling for an end to violence.

US Congressman Bill Huizenga, in an interview with Arise TV last week, said Trump was unlikely to authorise military action in Nigeria despite the strong rhetoric.

He said Trump’s comments were likely aimed at drawing attention to the situation rather than signalling an imminent strike.

Huizenga added that Trump generally preferred diplomatic approaches, saying he “would be very selective” before considering military involvement.

He argued that economic sanctions were more effective in weakening extremist financing networks.

He urged Nigerian authorities to intensify efforts to address insecurity across the country.

In a separate development, President Tinubu sent his Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement, Dr Abiodun Essiet, to Plateau State to promote peace.

Essiet met Christian leaders, Fulani representatives, and community groups, including a courtesy visit to Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo of the Regional Church Council in Barkin Ladi.

According to a statement from the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Essiet also held private meetings with the Irigwe community, the Miyetti Allah association, and youth representatives from Bassa Local Government Area.

Essiet said the President remained committed to inclusive governance and that local peace structures were crucial for unity and long-term stability.

During the visit, a dispute involving the destruction of Agha Farm in Gyel, Jos South, was resolved.

The statement said the MACBAN Chairman of Bassa LGA, Alhaji Isah Yau, paid N500,000 compensation to the farm owner, David Toma, leading to the release of two seized cows after both parties signed a peace agreement.

Nigeria coach, Eric Chelle, has alleged that a member of DR Congo’s staff engaged in “voodoo” during the penalty shootout of Sunday’s World Cup playoff in Rabat, where the Super Eagles were eliminated from contention for the 2026 tournament.

The term voodoo is widely used to describe different forms of traditional spiritual or ritual practices, although it is often referenced inaccurately in sports discussions.

Players, coaches, and fans occasionally raise claims that opponents rely on such practices to influence a match, implying that the result was affected by supernatural activity rather than tactics or athletic performance.

Nigeria’s qualification bid ended in a 4–3 penalty defeat after the match concluded 1–1 over 120 minutes at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

The outcome means the Super Eagles will miss the World Cup for the second consecutive edition.

In a video shared by ESPN Africa on X on Monday, which captured Chelle speaking to journalists after the game, he explained that he reacted out of frustration after seeing repeated gestures from an individual in DR Congo’s technical area during the VAR review of a penalty incident.

“During all the penalty decision, a guy of Congo did some voodoo… Every time, every time, every time. So this is why I was a little nervous after him,” he said.

When pressed to clarify what he observed, Chelle demonstrated the gesture and added, “Something like that. I don’t know if it’s water or something like that.”

The allegations have not been independently verified.

PUNCH Online reports that Nigeria opened scoring through Frank Onyeka in the third minute before M. Elia levelled for DR Congo in the 32nd minute.

Both teams produced scoring opportunities during extra time, but neither side was able to secure a decisive goal.

The penalty shootout fluctuated with momentum swings.

Calvin Bassey and Moses Simon were unable to convert Nigeria’s early kicks, while goalkeeper Nwabali saved DR Congo’s first attempt to keep the contest even.

Akor Adams scored to keep Nigeria within reach before DR Congo converted their fourth penalty, sealing a 4–3 victory.

The win sends DR Congo into the intercontinental playoff, where they will compete for one of the remaining places at the expanded 48-team World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Nigeria advanced to the final after defeating Gabon 4–1 in extra time on Thursday, while DR Congo progressed with a 1–0 victory over Cameroon.

The Leopards will now await their playoff opponent as their qualification push continues, while Nigeria’s hopes came to an end in a dramatic and painful finish in Rabat.

The Joint Military Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace (JTF OPEP), has arrested a suspected gunrunner and recovered a cache of weapons during an operation in Plateau State.

The individual, identified as Ishaya Musa, was detained at the Jebbu Bassa Bypass checkpoint in Bassa Local Government Area on November 14, 2025. This was confirmed on Saturday by the task force’s spokesman, Major Samson Zhakom.

According to Major Zhakom, troops found several weapons in the suspect’s possession, including six fabricated single-barrel rifles, two fabricated revolver rifles, one Dane gun, an expended cartridge, and additional related items.

The military stated that the arrest is part of an ongoing effort to curb the spread of illegal weapons and reinforce national security. The statement added that “The suspect and recovered items are in custody for further action.”

Major Zhakom also encouraged members of the public to remain vigilant and share timely information with security agencies, particularly with the harvest and yuletide seasons approaching. He noted that “This operation highlights the unwavering commitment of JTF OPEP to protecting law-abiding citizens, preventing the proliferation of illegal weapons, and maintaining peace and stability within the Joint Operations Area.”

In a separate development, the task force carried out a raid on November 13 at a suspected gunrunner’s hideout in Fashoron Village, Daffo District, Bokkos Local Government Area. During the raid, which was conducted by Sector 2 (Sub-Sector 2), additional weapons and ammunition were recovered.

Plateau State has continued to experience recurring security challenges, prompting intensified operations aimed at restoring stability. The arrest of Ishaya Musa adds to a series of recent actions by security forces targeting individuals linked to armed robbery, kidnapping, and other criminal activities.