Catholic Bishop urges Trump to enforce Nigeria CPC designation, warns of escalating violence

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Wilfred Anagbe, has called on the United States government to ensure that its decision to reclassify Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) is accompanied by decisive action.

Anagbe presented his testimony on Thursday before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, which is reviewing President Donald Trump’s recent move to reinstate Nigeria on the CPC list.

“On behalf of millions of Christians in Nigeria and in the diaspora, we want to thank President Donald Trump for his bold leadership in designating Nigeria as a CPC. I commend you and this subcommittee for ongoing efforts on this matter.”

He stressed that the designation must be paired with meaningful enforcement. “It is a vital step, but must be backed by serious action. One, use the Magnitsky Act for targeted sanctions against Nigerian government officials and others tolerating or condoning Islamic violence in the country,” Anagbe said.

The Bishop urged lawmakers to ensure that both security assistance and humanitarian aid are tied to measurable progress.

“Expand humanitarian support for IDPs. The IDPs must return to their ancestral homes, and this requires security guarantees from the Nigerian Government,” he said, according to Vanguard.

He also sought international backing for community rehabilitation and endorsed pending U.S. legislation designed to improve accountability. “They must be supported to rebuild their economic livelihood and enjoy basic services such as education and sanitation.

“Support this Nigerian Religious Freedom Accountability Act to hold perpetrators accountable. This point cannot be overemphasised because impunity fuels the violence we suffer,” he said.

Anagbe told members of Congress that many Christian survivors in Benue remain deeply traumatised. He noted that one priest he knows “cannot walk” after surviving a terrorist attack.

He criticised the Nigerian government for playing down casualty numbers and leaving victims without adequate support. The Bishop added that Trump’s earlier CPC designation “aimed to stabilise Nigeria” but “worsened the safety of Christians.”

He insisted that the killings must come to an end and said the CPC action had offered “joy, hope and spiritual resilience” to communities under threat, even if it alone could not stop the violence.

“Irrespective of who is being killed, the prime question is: are there killings in Nigeria? The government should stop it.

“It requires political, military and humanitarian interventions. Mr Chairman and members, the blood of Nigerian Christians cries out to you. We cannot afford to wait any longer.

“Use every tool of U.S. influence to demand change. America has a unique role in defending religious freedom globally. Please enact concrete action according to the CPC designation. We all know that inaction emboldens extremists even more,” he said.

Nigeria’s reappearance on the CPC list on 31 October 2025 reignited debate after Trump accused authorities in Abuja of enabling systematic persecution of Christians. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he indicated that military action “could be” among the options being evaluated.

The Nigerian government has strongly denied Trump’s claims