The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday established a 12-member ad-hoc committee to formulate a legislative response to growing international allegations of state-backed persecution of Christians in the country.
Reports disclosed that the decision was reached during a closed-door session where lawmakers deliberated on recent claims by the United States (US) government, which suggested possible acts of genocide targeting Christians in some regions.
The move comes amid increasing diplomatic scrutiny and claims over the potential damage to Nigeria's international reputation and interfaith harmony.
According to the Senate, the committee members are Senators Victor Umeh, Yemi Adaramodu, Aniekan Bassey, Niyi Adegbonmire, Abdul Ningi, Titus Zam, Tony Nwoye, Tahir Munguno, and Asuquo Ekpenyong.
The panel has been tasked with producing a comprehensive position paper, backed by verifiable facts and statistics, for presentation to both the Senate and the Executive branch.
The Red Chamber stated that the document is intended to shape Nigeria's official legislative stance and guide its engagement in ongoing international discussions.
Notably, the formation of the committee follows an earlier resolution to engage directly with the United States Congress to counter what the Senate describes as "misleading narratives" that misrepresent the nation's security challenges as a Christian genocide.
The motion for the engagement was initially raised by Senator Ali Ndume, instigating a broader debate among lawmakers.
During the debate, Senators upheld that such narratives, while sometimes stemming from genuine concern, are misinforming international partners and harming Nigeria's global image and economy.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who announced the committee's formation, proposed that the delegation engage in private discussions with American lawmakers to clarify the situation.
"There are misconceptions that need to be corrected. We are dealing with a complex terrorist threat, and it’s important that our counterparts in the U.S. understand that the violence affects both Christians and Muslims," he said.
Echoing the need for a strategic approach, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim stressed that Nigeria's counterterrorism efforts must be guided by knowledge-based strategies.
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