Skip to main content

U.S. Congressional Delegation Alarms Over "Harrowing" Conditions in Benue IDP Camps

A United States congressional delegation has raised serious concerns after visiting camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria's Benue State, describing a dire humanitarian crisis and framing the violence as a "genocidal campaign."

The delegation, led by Congressman Riley Moore and directed by President Donald Trump, conducted the on-the-ground mission to inform U.S. policy on global religious persecution and atrocity response.

Key Findings from the Visit

Congressman Moore reported encountering "harrowing" conditions in the camps and estimated that over 600,000 Christians have been displaced by ongoing violence in the region. He shared devastating personal testimonies from survivors, including one woman who witnessed the killing of her husband and five children, and another whose family was murdered before her eyes.

During the visit, Moore met with local Tiv and Catholic leaders and held discussions with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, aiming to strengthen counter-terrorism and security cooperation between the two nations.

Broader Political Context

The delegation's tough assessment comes amid a longstanding, fundamental disagreement between the U.S. and Nigerian governments on the nature of the crisis. 

While U.S. officials describe a campaign of religious persecution, the Nigerian government has consistently rejected claims of systemic Christian targeting, maintaining that insecurity and violence affect citizens of all faiths equally.

The visit aligns with increased U.S. legislative scrutiny of Nigeria. The U.S. House Subcommittee on Africa recently held a hearing on redesignating Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" over alleged religious freedom violations, signaling ongoing pressure from Washington.

*Source: The Punch*
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

PERSONALITY: Profile of a Performer

  His smile is calm, his overall demeanor unassuming. But make no mistake; Akinwunmi Ambode is no push over. He is a man of high intellectual character. Starting his career at a very young age, Ambode rose to the very pinnacle of the Civil Service, by dint of hard work, focus and altruism. Above all, he always has his head clear, his goals and perspectives well conceived from the start. He doesn’t mince words. He neither gives vain flattery nor expects to receive it, as those who have come to know him will attest to. Read more, after the cut...
1 comment
Read more

Sheikh Gumi Alleges Foreign Powers are Financing Terrorists in Nigeria

Prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has accused unnamed foreign nations of supporting terrorist groups in Nigeria, citing a sudden reversal of security gains in recent months as evidence of external interference. In a significant and provocative claim, Nigerian Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has alleged that international actors are providing backing to terrorists operating within the country. During an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Sheikh Gumi pointed to deteriorating security in areas that had shown marked improvement. He specifically highlighted the Abuja-Kaduna highway, which had become safer for travelers, and the farmlands around Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State, where farmers had cautiously returned to their fields after years of abandonment. "The situation on the ground contradicts earlier signs of improvement," Gumi stated, arguing that the recent surge in attacks suggests renewed support for armed groups. "This sudden rever...
Post a Comment
Read more

DSS Arrests Medical Doctor Accused of Supplying Drugs to Kwara Kidnapping Syndicate

Intelligence-led operation in Jebba uncovers healthcare professional allegedly aiding criminal networks. In a significant breakthrough, Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) has apprehended a licensed medical doctor for his alleged role in supporting kidnapping gangs terrorizing parts of Kwara State. The arrest followed a targeted interception in the Jebba area, based on precise intelligence regarding the movement of supplies to criminal elements. According to security officials, the doctor was caught transporting medical provisions from Sokoto State intended for kidnappers operating within Kwara. This development suggests that recent security operations have been effective, leaving some gang members wounded and in urgent need of care. “These criminal networks are becoming increasingly desperate for medical assistance following sustained engagements with security forces,” a DSS official stated. The situation has prompted a security advisory for health fac...
Post a Comment
Read more