Religious Persecution: Trump Closes in on Nigeria as Reps Pass Intervention Law

THIS DAWN — The Editor of Shekinah International Magazine and Secretary of Afenifere Diaspora USA, David Adenekan, has issued a strong public warning that the United States under President Donald J. Trump is poised to take unprecedented actions over widely reported religious persecution in the country.

President Trump had warned that he will take action regarding Nigeria’s security and human rights situation.

Writing from Chicago, Adenekan cited the passage of H.R. 5808 — the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 by the U.S. House of Representatives.

He said it is clear evidence that Washington is preparing to enforce strict measures against terrorism, religious persecution, and their sponsors in Nigeria.

According to Adenekan, many Nigerians—particularly supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—have dismissed Trump’s earlier statements about “coming to Nigeria to get rid of undesirable elements” as political theatrics.

But he insists that the legislative backing now in place signals that the U.S. is prepared to move from rhetoric to action.

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See a screenshot of the document below:

“Country of Particular Concern”

Adenekan explains that once a bill passes Congress and becomes an act, it effectively becomes law, awaiting implementation by the executive arm.

The Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act, he argues, encapsulates key components of U.S. foreign policy.

These include religious freedom, counterterrorism, and the authority to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC).

The classification opens the door to sanctions, direct interventions, and security-sector reforms.

He warned that the 10-day window for presidential action means the policy framework is active and actionable.

“H.R. 5808 is not a ruse,” he stressed, urging Nigerians to understand the seriousness of the development.

Adenekan also revealed that Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is fully aware of the resolution.

The Ministry is also aware of the likelihood that the Trump administration will seek to collaborate with the Nigerian government in “sanitizing” the country’s security architecture.

This includes targeting perpetrators of terrorism, their financiers, and anyone linked to religiously motivated violence.

“America is coming for all the perpetrators of terrorism and genocides in Nigeria,” he declared.

He added that early action and cooperation from Nigerian authorities would be critical to avoiding diplomatic fallout.

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Adenekan ends his commentary with a stark warning: “A stitch in time saves nine.”

What Is H.R. 5808?

Sponsor & Status

• The bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on October 21, 2025, by Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-IN-3).

• It has been referred to the House Committees on Foreign Affairs and Judiciary for review.

Official Purpose

• The bill requires the U.S. Secretary of State to formally designate the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) under U.S. laws on international religious freedom.

• It also calls for the imposition of sanctions on Nigerian individuals implicated in human rights abuses, especially those related to religious persecution.

Key Provisions

1. Annual Reporting

Within 90 days of enactment, and every year after, the Secretary of State must issue a report to Congress identifying Nigerian officials (federal or state) who:

• Promoted or maintained blasphemy laws, or
• Tolerated religious violence by non-state actors (e.g., terrorists) invoking religious justification.
• The first report must cover a 10-year retrospective period.

1. Sanctions

   • Those named in the report are subject to sanctions under Executive Order 13818, which allows for blocking the property of individuals involved in human rights abuses or corruption.

   • This means asset freezes or travel restrictions could be applied to officials identified in the report.

2. Religious Freedom Designations

   • The bill mandates Nigeria’s designation as a CPC for “systematic, ongoing, and egregious” religious freedom violations.

   • It also reaffirms designations for Boko Haram and ISIS–West Africa (ISWAP) as “Entities of Particular Concern,” underscoring their role in religious violence.

3. Waiver Conditions

   • The Secretary of State may waive the CPC designation if:

     • Neither Boko Haram nor ISIS-West Africa is active in Nigeria, and

     • Nigerian federal and state governments are no longer enforcing blasphemy laws.

     • This gives some flexibility, depending on Nigerian reforms or changes.

4. Technical Amendments

   • The bill corrects language in U.S. law to standardize terminologies (e.g., changing “freedom religion” to “religious freedom”).

   • It also defines key terms: “Nigerian blasphemy laws,” “Boko Haram,” “ISIS-West Africa,” etc.

Why It Matters

• Accountability: If passed, the Act would force greater accountability for Nigerian officials allegedly complicit in religious persecution.

• Diplomatic Pressure: The CPC designation could strain U.S.–Nigeria relations, potentially affecting aid, arms sales, or diplomatic ties.

• Religious Freedom: It highlights growing concern over the enforcement of blasphemy laws in Nigeria, and violence carried out by extremist groups.

• International Signal: The bill would send a strong message that the U.S. is willing to use foreign policy tools to defend religious minorities.