This Is Disturbing!’ – U.S. Warns Nigerian Govt Over Intimidation OF Outspoken Bishops

U.S. Condemns Threats Against Bishop Anagbe, Fr. Ihyula Over Testimony on Killings in Nigeria....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The United States has strongly condemned reported threats against Catholic Bishop Wilfred Anagbe and Reverend Father Remigius Ihyula for speaking out about targeted killings in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.

According to reports, both clergymen testified before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee on March 12, where they revealed that Christians in the Middle Belt were being systematically targeted. Following their testimony, The Catholic Register reported that both Anagbe and Ihyula have faced threats and have yet to return to Nigeria.

The publication revealed that Bishop Anagbe received a warning from Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs prior to his appearance before the U.S. Congress. On March 28, Father Ihyula reportedly received a message from an embassy in Abuja, cautioning that an arrest warrant might be awaiting Bishop Anagbe upon his return.

In addition, the report noted that threats began even before the testimony, with Bishop Anagbe receiving a 3 a.m. phone call from a fellow cleric who relayed a warning from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stating Anagbe should “watch his words.”

In response to the developments, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, via its official (Twitter) handle on Thursday, expressed deep concern over the intimidation of the two religious leaders.

“The U.S. Mission in Nigeria is disturbed by this report of intimidation and threats against Nigerian religious leaders Bishop Wilfred Anagbe and Rev. Fr. Remigius because of their March 12 testimony before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) on the human rights situation in Nigeria’s Middle Belt,” the statement read.

The Mission emphasized that freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and central to any democracy—whether in Nigeria or the United States.

“No one should be subject to threats for exercising that right. We call on all actors to respect Bishop Anagbe’s and Father Remigius’s right to speak freely without fear of retribution or retaliation,” it concluded.