U.S. Congressman Riley Moore has commended former President Donald Trump for designating Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern (CPC)" following rising reports of persecution and killings of Christians. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed alarm over what he called an "existential threat" to Christianity in Nigeria, attributing the violence to radical Islamist groups. He emphasized that the United States "cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening" and promised continued global support for persecuted Christians.Reacting to the announcement, Moore took to his X (Twitter) handle to applaud Trump's decision, calling it a demonstration of "incredible leadership" and a firm commitment to defending persecuted Christians worldwide. He thanked Trump for consistently standing as a "champion for Christians around the world" and pledged to work alongside U.S. lawmakers, including Chairman Tom Cole, to advocate for the protection of Christian communities in Nigeria.
In earlier remarks, Moore had urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to take immediate diplomatic measures, highlighting what he described as the "systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians" across Nigeria. He cited figures from Open Doors and other global watchdogs indicating that more than 7,000 Christians had been killed in 2025, with over 19,000 churches attacked or destroyed since 2009.
Moore alleged that some elements within Nigeria's political structure might be complicit in the ongoing violence, pointing to the closure of Christian orphanages in some northern states and the enforcement of harsh blasphemy laws. He further claimed that Nigeria hosts over 20 extremist groups with ties to ISIS, urging the U.S. to reconsider military aid and restore Nigeria's CPC status.
Responding to these accusations, Nigeria's Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, dismissed the claims as "misleading and unreflective" of the nation's realities. Speaking on CNN, Idris stressed that the violence in Nigeria affects both Christians and Muslims, not one faith group alone, and warned that external narratives portraying it as a religious war could deepen divisions.
The minister reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to religious freedom, human rights, and national unity, emphasizing that the government remains dedicated to tackling terrorism without bias. He urged international observers to rely on accurate data and to support Nigeria's ongoing peace and reconciliation efforts rather than inflame sectarian tensions.
Source: