Christians Still Under Attack in Nigeria, US Lawmaker Tells Trump

Christians Still Under Attack in Nigeria, US Lawmaker Tells Trump

United States Congressman Riley Moore has said Christians in Nigeria continue to face severe violence and persecution, calling for renewed international efforts to protect religious communities one year after President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).

Moore made the remarks in a statement posted on his X account to mark the anniversary of the designation, which was announced by Trump in November 2025 over concerns about religious freedom and attacks on Christian communities.

“Christians in Nigeria, and around the world, continue to face unspeakable violence. On this anniversary, we must rededicate our efforts to defend Christians in Nigeria and anywhere they face persecution,” the US lawmaker said.

He also defended Trump’s decision to place Nigeria on the CPC list, describing it as the right move and praising efforts by Republican lawmakers and faith-based organisations to press for stronger action against religious persecution.

In his post, Moore credited Trump’s leadership, alongside work by Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee, for what he described as progress in addressing attacks on Christians in Nigeria.

He specifically praised efforts by House Appropriations Republicans to introduce conditions on US assistance to Nigeria, including requirements for the Nigerian government to demonstrate concrete steps towards protecting Christian communities.

According to the congressman, pressure from the US government and advocacy by religious organisations had begun to produce results.

He claimed that Nigeria experienced its first Christmas without a massacre of Christians in recent memory, although he acknowledged that much more needed to be done to address the security challenges.

Moore also commended the Nigerian government, saying it had shown signs of willingness to confront violence against Christian communities.

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His latest comments are part of an ongoing campaign by some US lawmakers to draw international attention to attacks on Christians in Nigeria and push for stronger measures against those responsible.

Nigeria’s Country of Particular Concern designation

Nigeria was first designated a Country of Particular Concern by the United States in December 2020 under Trump’s first administration over concerns about violations of religious freedom.

However, the administration of former US President Joe Biden removed Nigeria from the list in 2021, a decision that attracted criticism from some American lawmakers and religious organisations.

Trump restored the designation in November 2025 after returning to the White House, citing concerns over attacks on Christian communities, particularly in parts of northern and central Nigeria.

The CPC classification is provided under the US International Religious Freedom Act and allows Washington to consider diplomatic and policy measures, including sanctions and restrictions on certain forms of assistance, against countries identified as engaging in or tolerating particularly severe violations of religious freedom.

The renewed designation has also intensified discussions between Nigerian and American authorities over insecurity, religious freedom and the protection of vulnerable communities.

US-Nigeria disagreement over religious persecution

The Nigerian government has repeatedly rejected the characterisation of the country’s security crisis as a campaign of religious persecution targeted exclusively at Christians.

The Federal Government maintains that insecurity in Nigeria is complex and involves terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence and farmer-herder conflicts, which have affected both Christians and Muslims.

It has also pointed to ongoing security operations, cooperation with international partners and efforts to protect vulnerable communities in states including Benue, Plateau and Kaduna.

Moore’s latest statement comes amid continuing international scrutiny of Nigeria’s response to insecurity and growing pressure on the government to strengthen the protection of religious communities.

The congressman, who has previously visited Nigeria as part of a US congressional investigation into religious freedom concerns, has continued to advocate stronger American involvement in addressing the violence.

In February 2026, Moore and fellow US Congressman Chris Smith introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, seeking a comprehensive report on US efforts to address alleged religious persecution and mass atrocities against Christians in Nigeria.

The proposed legislation reflects continuing efforts by some members of the US Congress to make religious freedom and accountability central to Washington’s engagement with Nigeria.