Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, issued the following statement in response to the gruesome attack on St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Niger state, Nigeria, wherein gunmen assaulted and abducted staff and approximately 52 students:

                “My wife, Marie, and I are absolutely appalled to hear of the monstrous attack on St. Mary’s Catholic Schools in Nigeria, which took place early this morning. So far, this vicious assault has resulted in the injuries and kidnappings of numerous staff members and approximately 52 students.

                “Religiously motivated violence against predominantly Christian communities, as well as moderate Muslims, in Nigeria is real—and unfortunately, only getting worse.

                “It would be a gross understatement and a blatant denial to refer to serious and sustained attacks against religious communities in Nigeria of this magnitude as anything but acts of religious persecution.

                “While we pray for the immediate release and safe return of the abducted staff and schoolchildren, we also demand that the Nigerian government use all the tools at its disposal to thoroughly investigate this crime, swiftly identify and punish the perpetrators, and steadfastly work towards preventing these types of religiously motivated attacks from occurring in the first place.

                “I also strongly call upon Nigerian authorities to ensure that all threats made against those who speak out about the ongoing persecution of Christians and moderate Muslims in Nigeria—including the witnesses and individuals associated with yesterday’s hearing—are taken seriously and appropriately addressed without delay.

                “The protection and safety of these courageous individuals must be paramount to both U.S. and Nigerian authorities—acts of violence, such as this, disincentivize Nigerians from speaking out about these atrocities and terrify them into silence.”

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