Genocide in Nigeria is now like stage 4 cancer, says top US congressman

U.S. Congressman Chris Smith, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa at the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has issued a stark warning on the escalating violence in Nigeria, describing the ongoing slaughter of Christians and moderate Muslims as “like a stage four cancer” that is spreading rapidly and must be confronted decisively. Speaking on Inside Sources […]

U.S. Congressman Chris Smith, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa at the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has issued a stark warning on the escalating violence in Nigeria, describing the ongoing slaughter of Christians and moderate Muslims as “like a stage four cancer” that is spreading rapidly and must be confronted decisively.

Speaking on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels TV, Smith urged the Nigerian government to stop viewing the U.S. designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) as a punishment and instead see it as a lifeline — a pivot toward meaningful reform, international partnership, and life-saving intervention.

Smith, who has chaired more than 700 congressional hearings on human rights, said his commitment to Nigeria stems from a fundamental principle: standing in solidarity with the oppressed.

“When people are being oppressed and the government fails to take action… that’s why they were designated CPC,” he said, emphasizing that both Christians and moderate Muslims are being killed, though the scale on the Christian side is far more alarming.
“It’s like a stage four cancer. You know, next thing you know, it’s everywhere, massacring. And these radicals need to be stopped. They just need to be stopped,” he said.

The Congressman noted that Nigerian officials often approach the CPC designation defensively. But he argued that the label is meant to trigger introspection, accountability, and decisive action.
“I said, lose that. It’s a mirror,” Smith explained.

Drawing on America’s multicultural strength, he said the U.S. takes violations seriously because its own population includes Nigerians deeply affected by the violence at home.

“We are the United Nations… people speak up and say, ‘what about my people back home?’”

He added that testimonies from diaspora communities and victims inform the U.S. Congress’s investigations, conversations with governments, and policy decisions.

Smith pushed back strongly against claims from some Nigerian officials that Christians are not being targeted.

“Their comeback to me was they don’t think that Christians are being killed because they’re Christians. And I said, I vehemently disagree with that.”

He condemned attempts to frame the killings as climate-related.

“Global warming is not the reason… really get real.”

He recounted heartbreaking testimonies heard in Congress, including one mother who “lost five of her kids.”

For Smith, this level of brutality demands a moral and political response from Abuja: “Government should say, ‘it breaks our hearts too… and we’re going to do something about it.’”

Smith criticized failures in law enforcement and military response.

“The Fulani have emerged almost untouched by government intervention, by good law enforcement.”

He stressed that insurgents, though dangerous, are not invincible:
“There aren’t that many ISIS West Africa… there aren’t that many Boko Haram… When you really have the will to go get them, you can stop it.”

He said with genuine resolve, these groups can be degraded, their recruitment pipelines shut down, and their atrocities halted.

Smith highlighted that the Trump administration’s CPC designation opens the door for deeper military and intelligence cooperation.

“There’s much more we could do… like night vision goggles, intel especially… we fight a lot of terrorism globally, so it gives us insights.”

He revealed that U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Mike Walsh — a decorated Green Beret with extensive counterinsurgency experience — has already trained Nigerian Special Forces in hostage rescues.

But more can be done: “We need that kind of collaboration.”

Smith argued that Nigeria must “avail themselves of that partnership” to make every Nigerian — Christian or Muslim — feel safe.

The Congressman expressed outrage that internally displaced persons (IDPs) are still being told to return to unsafe villages.

“They can’t go home… they need food, shelter, medicine.”

While acknowledging that the U.S. is willing to help, he insisted that Nigeria must demonstrate political will: “Nigeria has resources as well. But it has to have the will to help.”

Smith proposed an unprecedented step toward unity and healing: “We need a unified Christian–Muslim effort… convene a summit.”

He urged Nigerian authorities to bring religious leaders together to acknowledge the crisis and build consensus on solutions.

“When you get people in the room… things can happen. Call on God to guide the effort.”