Benue Catholic Bishop Calls on U.S. to Back Nigeria’s CPC Designation with Real Action

Benue’s Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe has urged the United States to reinforce Nigeria’s return to the “Country of Particular Concern” list with firm and measurable action. Testifying before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, he thanked President Donald Trump for the redesignation but stressed that it must lead to concrete steps capable of curbing violence against Christian communities.

He called for targeted sanctions under instruments such as the Magnitsky Act, arguing that officials who enable or ignore attacks should face consequences. He also appealed for U.S. aid to be tied to clear improvements on the ground, particularly in the protection and resettlement of internally displaced persons. According to him, displaced families need secure conditions to return home, along with support to rebuild their livelihoods and restore access to essential services.

Bishop Anagbe endorsed proposed U.S. legislation aimed at increasing accountability for religious-freedom violations, warning that impunity continues to fuel unrest. He described the lingering trauma among victims in Benue, noting cases such as a priest who survived an attack but can no longer walk. He accused Nigeria’s federal authorities of minimizing casualty figures and failing to provide adequate support to affected communities.

While acknowledging that the CPC decision revived hope among targeted populations, the bishop emphasized that it cannot stop the killings on its own. He urged lawmakers to apply all available diplomatic leverage, arguing that the United States has a distinct responsibility to defend global religious freedom.

His testimony comes after President Trump reinstated Nigeria’s CPC status on October 31, 2025, citing systematic attacks on Christians. The Nigerian government has strongly rejected that assessment, insisting the country is not engaged in religious persecution.