Members of the United States House of Representatives have approved an amendment seeking to withhold 100 percent of US assistance to Nigeria until the Federal Government takes effective steps to address terrorism, protect vulnerable communities, and hold perpetrators of violence accountable.

The amendment, introduced on Wednesday by Representative Gregory Steube of Florida's 17th Congressional District, was adopted through a voice vote during deliberations in the House.

The move strengthens an earlier proposal introduced in April, which sought to withhold 50 percent of funds appropriated for Nigeria until the US Secretary of State certifies that the Nigerian government has taken effective measures to prevent and respond to violence across the country.

Speaking in support of the amendment, Steube argued that maintaining only a 50 percent funding restriction would amount to rewarding a government that has failed to fulfil its responsibility of protecting its citizens.

"I rise in strong support for my amendment to increase the withholding threshold for assistance to Nigeria from 50 percent to 100 percent, while keeping in place benchmarks that require Nigeria to take effective steps to address the violence and persecution that continue to devastate the country," he said.

Steube accused the Nigerian government of failing to tackle worsening insecurity, alleging that Christians and other religious minorities have continued to face attacks by extremist groups operating with impunity.

According to him, Christian women and girls have been abducted, assaulted, tortured and killed, while churches have been destroyed and entire communities displaced.

"If the aid conditions included in the bill are important enough to withhold half of all funding to the Nigerian government, then they are important enough to withhold all of the funding," he said.

He added that American taxpayers' money should not be channelled to governments that fail to uphold religious freedom, combat terrorism, or protect innocent citizens from persecution.

Steube also argued that increasing foreign aid to Nigeria was difficult to justify at a time when the United States faces mounting fiscal pressures, noting that America's national debt is approaching $40 trillion.

According to him, the amendment is intended to ensure that US foreign assistance is used as leverage to encourage stronger action against terrorism and the protection of fundamental human rights.

The proposal comes amid ongoing security concerns in Nigeria and follows increased scrutiny by some US lawmakers over the country's handling of religious violence and terrorism.

If eventually enacted into law after completing the legislative process, the measure would require the Nigerian government to meet specified security and accountability benchmarks before US assistance can resume. The bill must still pass the Senate and be signed by the US President before it can become law.