– Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, strongly condemned recent acts of transnational repression targeting Nigerians and Nigerian-Americans in the United States following a March 12, 2025 congressional hearing he chaired on religious persecution in Nigeria.

“These alarming acts of intimidation—occurring both before and after my Congressional hearing—are not isolated,” said Chairman Smith, author of H.Res. 220—to designate Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). “They reflect a troubling pattern of retaliation linked to testimony before Congress on religious freedom abuses in Nigeria.” Smith has also authored H.R. 3654, The Transnational Repression Policy Act.

Chairman Smith’s March 12 hearing examined Nigeria’s dismal record on religious freedom and considered whether the U.S. should re-designate Nigeria as a CPC under the International Religious Freedom Act. Testimony spotlighted the systematic persecution of Christians, non-Fulani Muslims, and faith leaders advocating for tolerance—issues that appear to have triggered threats against individuals who testified or supported accountability efforts.

“I am appalled by reports that Bishop Wilfred Anagbe and Father Remigius Ihyula are facing threats—allegedly from Nigerian government sources and affiliated organizations—because of the Bishop’s testimony before Congress detailing violence in Nigeria’s Benue State,” said Chairman Smith. “Credible sources now indicate that Bishop Anagbe may face detention upon returning to Nigeria, and I also fear there are some who would seek to do him physical harm.”

For nearly a decade, Bishop Anagbe has sounded the alarm on the government’s failure to protect communities in Benue from violent attacks by Fulani herdsmen, resulting in mass killings, displacement, and the occupation of ancestral lands. Instead of launching investigations, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs have sought to discredit the Bishop’s testimony, labeling it misinformation despite evidence. The change in the U.S. administration has undoubtedly sparked fear by the Nigerian government that the CPC designation may become a reality.

“This thuggery not only threatens fundamental human rights, but it also violates U.S. criminal law and undermines a core congressional oversight function,” the senior U.S. lawmaker said. “It mirrors the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) well-documented tactics of transnational repression—trampling civil liberties and attempting to silence dissidents far beyond its borders.”

Chairman Smith also cited the past case of the courageous Nigerian human rights attorney Emmanuel Ogebe, who has faced retaliatory efforts from Nigerian authorities following his 2015 congressional testimony, including attempts to revoke his passport and smear his reputation.

“Mr. Ogebe was forced to sue to protect his constitutional rights. Others remain in hiding. In the worst cases, they become martyrs. This must end,” Smith said.

“The United States cannot allow foreign actors to intimidate or harass individuals within our borders for exercising their basic rights—particularly those who are assisting Congress by providing testimony.” Smith concluded. “I will continue to work aggressively with the U.S. Department of State, the Department of Justice, and other relevant agencies to take swift and decisive action to confront these acts and hold those responsible fully accountable.”

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