Pressure Nigeria to disband Hisbah, ban Sharia law, Obadare tells US congress during hearing
Ebenezer Obadare, a Douglas Dillon senior fellow for Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), says the United States should pressure Nigeria to make the Sharia law… pic.twitter.com/7qJxVkPpF0
— TheCable (@thecableng) December 3, 2025
During a joint congressional briefing on December 2, 2025, US lawmakers and foreign relations experts highlighted escalating attacks against Christians in Nigeria, rejecting claims that the violence is merely “inter-communal” or resource-driven. Lawmakers, led by Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, called for policies defending religious freedom, disarmament of militias, accountability for perpetrators, and support for displaced families.
Experts like Dr. Ebenezer Obadare emphasized neutralizing Boko Haram and pressuring President Tinubu to reform Sharia law and disband Hisbah groups. The session stressed that the US must act decisively to support persecuted Christians, leverage aid, and hold the Nigerian government accountable.
Seven Key Takeaways:
1. Advancing Policy through Funding – Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart
Protecting religious liberty is both a moral duty and US interest; he plans to include measures in FY26 funding to safeguard Christian communities.
2. Demand Justice and Disarmament – Rep. Brian Mast
Militias aim to drive Christians from ancestral lands; Nigeria must disarm these groups, return displaced families, and prosecute perpetrators.
3. Accountability and Decisive Action – Rep. Chris Smith
Nigeria must protect citizens constitutionally; the US should hold the government accountable for complicity in religious persecution.
4. Standing with the Persecuted – Rep. Robert Aderholt
The US must visibly support persecuted Christians in Nigeria and globally, showing solidarity with affected communities.
5. Ending the Blind Eye – Rep. Riley Moore
Expert testimony shows the severity of persecution; the world can no longer ignore the violence against Christians in Nigeria.
6. Degrading Terror and Constitutional Reform – Dr. Ebenezer Obadare
Boko Haram is Nigeria’s deadliest threat; the US should help neutralize the group and press President Tinubu to abolish Sharia law in the north and disband Hisbah groups.
7. Improving Accountability and Leveraging Aid – Hon. Vicky Hartzler
Steps include enhancing Nigerian government accountability, using US security assistance effectively, employing early warning systems, and training authorities to counter insurgent threats.