Insecurity: What US Congress told president Tinubu on CPC tag

The Chairman of the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, Chris Smith, has urged President Bola Tinubu to take strong action against terrorists causing killings and destruction across Nigeria.

Speaking on Channels Television’s programme Inside Sources on Sunday, Smith said Nigeria was named a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) by the US for genuine reasons, not to punish the country.

He explained that the Nigerian government must protect its citizens and stop downplaying the level of violence.

According to him, “Tinubu has to act. I won’t judge him harshly, but the CPC designation was done in good faith. This is not about pleasing the United States. Nigerians deserve better than looking the other way while these attacks happen.”

Smith criticised comments from a Nigerian official who claimed only a small number of people had been killed. He urged the government to “tell the truth and fight the evil.”

His remarks follow continued global attention on Nigeria’s security problems. Last Thursday, witnesses appeared before the US House Subcommittee on Africa, giving conflicting reports about violence and religious persecution as part of a review of Nigeria’s CPC status.

The discussion also revisited former US President Donald Trump’s past claim that “Christian genocide” was happening in Nigeria, a statement the Nigerian government dismissed at the time.

Responding to the renewed concerns, President Tinubu released a statement rejecting the idea that Nigeria is hostile to Christians. He maintained that the country respects religious freedom and is working to protect the rights of all religions.

Tinubu said: “Calling Nigeria religiously intolerant does not reflect reality. Nigeria is a democracy that guarantees freedom of religion, and we remain committed to protecting that freedom.”