A United States lawmaker has openly criticised Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar over his statement that only 177 Christians were killed in Nigeria within the last five years. The Congressman, visibly displeased, said the claim does not reflect the reality on ground and insisted that “nobody believes that number,” given the frequent reports of deadly attacks across multiple states.

The Congressman argued that several international rights organisations, as well as eyewitness testimonies, have consistently documented far higher figures. He stressed that the violence affecting Christian communities has been ongoing for years, and downplaying the statistics only weakens efforts to address the crisis. According to him, authorities should focus more on honest reporting and effective solutions.

He further noted that the global community is becoming increasingly concerned about Nigeria’s insecurity challenges. The lawmaker urged the Nigerian government to acknowledge the true scale of the problem so that both local and international partners can collaborate better. He added that transparency is the first step toward building trust and securing meaningful support.

The Congressman encouraged the Nigerian authorities to prioritize victims and ensure accountability for attackers. He stated that real progress can only be made when the government openly admits the seriousness of the issue and commits to protecting all communities. His remarks have sparked fresh discussions about the accuracy of official data on religious-based violence in Nigeria.