The Senate has resolved to open direct engagement with the United States Congress to counter what it described as misleading portrayals of Nigeria’s security challenges as a “Christian genocide.”
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Ali Ndume, which triggered an intense debate on how international narratives have distorted the country’s complex security situation.
Lawmakers expressed concern that recent discussions in the U.S. Senate and Congress — alongside calls by some advocacy groups to label Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” — were based on misinformation that could damage the nation’s global image and economic interests.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio proposed setting up an ad hoc committee to visit Washington and engage American legislators directly. He emphasized the need for private, high-level talks to explain that Nigeria’s security crisis affects both Christians and Muslims alike.
“There are misconceptions that must be corrected. The violence in Nigeria is driven by terrorism and banditry, not religion,” Akpabio said.
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim underscored the importance of knowledge-based counterterrorism strategies, noting that the forthcoming National Security Summit aims to craft locally driven solutions rather than rely on external interpretations.
The motion cited examples underscoring the non-sectarian nature of recent attacks — from killings in Christian farming communities in Plateau State to deadly raids on Muslim villages in Katsina and Zamfara, as well as indiscriminate assaults on both churches and mosques in Borno and Kaduna.
Given the sensitivity of the matter, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved to temporarily step down the motion for further deliberation in a closed executive session, where the composition of the proposed U.S. delegation will also be finalized. The motion was seconded by Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central).
