By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Christian Association of Nigerian Americans (CANAN USA) has called on the United States government to urgently expand humanitarian assistance and refugee resettlement for Nigerian terror victims, warning that thousands of displaced Christians remain stranded in refugee camps in Cameroon.

The appeal was made In a statement recently issued by Pastor (Dr.) James Fadel, President of the CANAN USA Board of Trustees, and Pastor (Dr.) Banjo Olaniyan, Acting Executive Director. The group highlighted the “continuing humanitarian and religious freedom crisis” facing Nigerian Christians forced to flee sustained violence, terrorism, and mass atrocities in northeastern Nigeria.

According to CANAN USA, Cameroonian refugee camps currently host about 58,327 Nigerian refugees, with community leaders in Gwoza reporting that nearly 99 percent of the population are Christians displaced by targeted attacks. Despite this, the United States has resettled fewer than 100 refugees, while countries such as Canada, France, and Italy have admitted significantly higher numbers.

“Many Nigerian refugees had already undergone security screening and were approved for resettlement to the United States, only for the program to be abruptly terminated, leaving approved families stranded for the New Year,” the statement said. “This outcome is inconsistent with U.S. commitments to refugee protection, humanitarian leadership, and international religious freedom.”

CANAN USA also pointed to policy inconsistencies and unequal treatment, noting that while limited refugee pathways have been prioritized elsewhere, Nigerian Christians fleeing sustained violence remain largely excluded. The organization compared figures of targeted killings, citing that more than 2,000 Christian farmers were killed in Benue State alone in the past two years, whereas fewer than 2,000 white farmers have been killed in South Africa since 1990.

To address the crisis, CANAN USA proposed several measures, including:

Raising the U.S. refugee admissions ceiling beyond 7,500 to match global displacement realities.

Prioritizing Nigerian refugees in Cameroon, particularly those facing religious persecution.

Rapid resettlement of already approved cases.

Granting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to eligible Nigerians in the United States.

Easing visa restrictions on law-abiding Nigerians.

Coordinating with international partners to expand refugee admissions and share responsibilities.

Increasing humanitarian aid to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria’s North-Central region.

Strengthening counterterrorism cooperation, with emphasis on civilian protection and accountability.

Supporting the reconstruction of devastated communities, including homes, schools, and places of worship.

Assisting Nigeria in conducting a credible national census of IDPs for evidence-based planning.

“Counterterrorism cooperation must translate into measurable improvements in civilian safety, accountability, justice, and long-term stability for all Nigerians—especially those most vulnerable to persecution,” the statement said.

CANAN USA, which mobilizes Christians in the U.S. to influence policy and provide humanitarian support, urged American leaders to exercise principled leadership and targeted engagement to protect displaced Nigerians.

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