A United States congressman, Riley M. Moore, has urged President Donald Trump to immediately redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), citing what he described as the “systematic persecution and slaughter” of Christians across the country.
In a letter dated 6 October 2025 and addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the West Virginia lawmaker called for the suspension of all arms sales and technical support to Nigeria until its government demonstrates a genuine commitment to ending the “reign of persecution and slaughter”.
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Moore alleged that between January and September 2025, over 7,000 Christians were killed by what he termed Muslim extremist groups, while at least 250 Catholic priests have been attacked or killed since 2015. He further claimed that since the start of the Boko Haram insurgency in 2009, no fewer than 19,100 churches have been attacked or destroyed across Nigeria.
“The Nigerian government has failed to protect its Christian population from sustained and coordinated attacks,” Moore wrote. “Until there is verifiable action to end these atrocities, the U.S. must not continue supplying arms or military support.”
The congressman’s appeal comes amid renewed international scrutiny of religious violence in Nigeria, which had previously been designated a CPC by President Trump during his first term — a status later revoked by former President Joe Biden.
Prominent American figures, including Senator Ted Cruz, talk show host Bill Maher, and political commentator Van Jones, have also raised alarm over what they termed a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria.
Speaking on Maher’s podcast, Senator Cruz claimed that Christians were being “systematically targeted and killed”, describing the ongoing attacks as “genocide”.
However, the Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly rejected the allegations.
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In a statement issued on Monday, Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, described the claims as “false, misleading and capable of inciting division.”
“These foreign commentators are orchestrating wild allegations about an unproven ongoing genocide in Nigeria,” Dare said. “We urge Nigerians and the international community to reject attempts to robe the country with a garment that is not hers.”
Dare maintained that the Nigerian government remains committed to tackling insecurity in all its forms and protecting citizens irrespective of their faith.
The latest development serves as a pointer to the growing U.S. political pressure on Nigeria over alleged human rights abuses and could influence future diplomatic and military engagements between the two nations.
