US Congress submits Nigeria report, recommends sanctions over violence

African and Nigerian outlets present the US congressional report as an oversimplified reading of a complex security crisis. They stress that Abuja rejects any claim of a state-led 'Christian genocide' and warns that sanctions would punish a government already fighting terrorism and crime. They expect Nigeria to lobby Washington and use diplomatic channels to avoid penalties while trying to defend its international image.

• •The Nigerian federal government denies operating any policy that targets Christians for persecution.
• •Nigerian officials argue that violence in the north and Middle Belt is driven by Boko Haram, ISWAP, bandit gangs, and farmer-herder conflicts, not a religious cleansing campaign.
• •Abuja insists that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of attacks and kidnappings across multiple states.
• •The government warns that US sanctions could weaken Nigeria’s security forces as they confront jihadist groups and armed gangs.
• •Nigerian commentators say the US Congress relied on selective reports from advocacy groups without fully engaging Nigerian authorities.