The United States (U.S) is currently developing a plan that includes the possibility of sanctions and an expanded military role to compel the Nigerian government to improve its efforts on religious freedom, specifically concerning protecting Christians in Nigeria.
A senior U.S. State Department official, Jonathan Pratt, confirmed the development during a testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday.
Pratt said that the U.S is considering the sanctions and expanded military role due to the rising insecurity in Nigeria and religious freedom violations.
He added that measures under review involve engagement by the U.S. State and Treasury Departments on targeted sanctions against officials, as well as potential “Department of War engagement on counterterrorism.”
Pratt, who leads the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, added that the administration of U.S President Donald Trump would use “all tools at our disposal” to respond to concerns about attacks on Christians in Africa’s most populous nation.
“This plan will consider U.S. State and Treasury engagement on sanctions, as well as possible Department of War engagement on counterterrorism and other efforts to protect religious freedom,” Pratt told the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Aside from the possibility of U.S sanctions and an expanded military role, Pratt also revealed that the administration of Trump has been reviewing U.S. security support to Nigeria, monitoring how Nigerian forces deploy assets, and expanding intelligence-sharing.
Also, the State Department human rights official Jacob McGee told the committee that Nigeria’s designation as a country of concern had “captured the attention” of its government but added that “a lot more needs to be done.”
“We are planning engagement on the ground, through our embassies and other visits, to make sure Nigerians hear our very important message that they have to do better,” McGee said.
This latest revelation follows Trump’s recent decision to return Nigeria to the U.S. list of “Countries of Particular Concern,” a designation for governments accused of violating religious freedom.
Trump had also publicly threatened “fast” military action and the suspension of all U.S. assistance if the Nigerian government fails to curb attacks on Christian communities.
However, the Nigerian government has rejected the allegations, saying claims of Christian persecution oversimplify a complex security crisis involving extremist violence, criminal banditry, and resource-driven conflict. Officials argue that the government’s efforts to protect citizens of all faiths have been understated.
A Nigerian delegation led by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu is also currently in the United States to discuss with officials over the redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.
Meanwhile, since Nigeria’s redesignation as a country of particular concern, there have been several attacks on Christian institutions and communities across the country.
Today, Friday, November 21, 2025, some armed men attacked St. Mary’s School, a Catholic boarding school in the Agwara local government area of Niger state.
Several schoolchildren and staff were abducted. Local media reports suggest the figure could be around 52 schoolchildren.
Also, on November 17, armed men attacked the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town, Kebbi state.
At least 25 schoolgirls were reported abducted, and one staff member was killed. One of the abducted girls later escaped.
On November 18, 2025, some armed men attacked a Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) congregation in Eruku, Kwara state.
Three Christian worshippers were reportedly killed, and multiple others, including a pastor, were abducted. Some reports indicate 38 worshippers were kidnapped during the attack.
