US Congressman Chris Smith has expressed concern over Nigeria’s worsening security situation, criticising the Federal Government for what he described as its failure to adequately acknowledge the country’s insecurity crisis.
Smith made the remarks during a congressional hearing held on November 12, 2026, by the US House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, titled “One Year Later: Assessing Nigeria’s Efforts to Protect Christians and Secure the Middle Belt.”
The hearing examined persistent attacks on vulnerable communities, killings, kidnappings, destruction of homes and the displacement of residents, particularly in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
Smith, who chaired the hearing, argued that the Nigerian government had failed to adequately protect vulnerable communities and ensure that perpetrators of violence were held accountable.
He also expressed concern that attacks attributed to extremist groups, including Boko Haram and armed militias, have continued despite repeated warnings and international pressure.
The American lawmaker called for stronger action, greater accountability and sustained diplomatic engagement to address the violence and protect affected communities.
The development comes amid renewed international scrutiny of Nigeria’s security situation, with the United States seeking measurable improvements in the country’s efforts to protect vulnerable populations.
However, the Nigerian government has consistently rejected claims that Christians are being systematically targeted in a genocide, maintaining that insecurity affects Nigerians across religious and ethnic groups.
The congressional hearing has further intensified discussions over Nigeria’s security challenges and the government’s responsibility to protect lives and property.
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