U.S. Congressman Mark Harris has formally petitioned Secretary of State Marco Rubio to impose sanctions on the Nigerian government, citing a “broader and growing pattern” of anti-Christian violence and a lack of accountability following the Palm Sunday massacre in Plateau State
United States Congressman Mark Harris has issued a formal call to Secretary of State Marco Rubio to impose sanctions on the Nigerian government, alleging a failure to protect its citizens from escalating religious persecution. In a letter dated Thursday, April 2, 2026, Harris highlighted a “disturbing” trend of violence, specifically referencing the recent Palm Sunday massacre in Plateau State that left at least 30 people dead. The lawmaker argued that these events represent a systemic failure rather than random instability, stating, “The escalating persecution of Christians in both Nigeria and Syria demands immediate attention from the United States. Attacks on the Church are not merely political disturbances or unfortunate byproducts of instability. They are assaults on human dignity, religious liberty, and the most basic God-given rights that every country has a duty to protect.
The correspondence praised the current U.S. administration for previously redesignating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) but insisted that diplomatic labels must be backed by tangible consequences. Harris accused the Nigerian government of either ignoring or downplaying the severity of attacks carried out by Islamic militants, leaving Christian communities to be “terrorized, displaced, and killed for their faith.” He pointedly questioned the State Department’s resolve, asking, “What consequences is the Department prepared to impose, not just on those responsible, but on the governments of Nigeria and Syria if they fail to act decisively to protect Christians and other religious minorities within their borders?”
Harris emphasized that the lack of accountability from the Nigerian government has enabled a broader pattern of anti-Christian violence to flourish. While commending President Trump’s leadership and previous military actions against terrorist groups, he noted that “recent reports and videos coming out of both Syria and Nigeria are deeply disturbing” and require a renewed diplomatic offensive. “When Christians are targeted for worshiping, gathering, and living openly in their faith, the United States should speak with moral clarity and act with resolve,” Harris wrote. As of Friday, April 3, 2026, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not issued a formal rebuttal to the congressman’s letter or the proposed sanctions.
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