United States Congressman, Riley Moore, has made fresh comments on the killings of Christians in Nigeria, insisting that more efforts are needed to protect religious communities despite what he described as progress following President Donald Trump’s decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
Moore made the remarks on his X account while reflecting on the first anniversary of Trump’s decision to return Nigeria to the US religious freedom watchlist.
The lawmaker maintained that Christians in Nigeria and other parts of the world continue to face severe violence, calling for renewed commitment from the American government, lawmakers and religious organisations.
“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,” Moore wrote.
He also highlighted what he considered significant progress since the designation was announced, crediting Trump’s leadership, Republican lawmakers in the US House of Representatives and religious advocacy organisations.
According to Moore, efforts by Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee to introduce conditions on American assistance to Nigeria have helped increase pressure on the Nigerian government to address attacks against Christian communities.
He said the combined efforts of the Trump administration, lawmakers and faith-based organisations were beginning to produce results.
“The President’s steadfast and decisive leadership, @houseappropsgop’s work to condition aid to Nigeria and impose requirements to defend Christians, and the tireless work of advocacy and faith-based organizations has started to make a difference.
“We saw the first Christmas without a massacre of Christians in recent memory. There is much more work to be done, but the government of Nigeria has shown signs of a willingness to address the violence against our brothers and sisters in Christ,” he stated.
Despite acknowledging some progress, Moore insisted that much more needed to be done to prevent further attacks and protect vulnerable religious communities.
How Nigeria Became a US Religious Freedom Concern
Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern has remained controversial, particularly between some American lawmakers and the Nigerian government.
The country was first placed on the list in 2020 during Trump’s first administration following concerns over religious freedom violations and attacks affecting Christian communities.
However, former US President Joe Biden removed Nigeria from the list in 2021, a decision that attracted criticism from Republican lawmakers and Christian advocacy groups.
Trump returned to the White House in January 2025 and announced Nigeria’s redesignation in November of the same year.
The decision renewed international attention on killings, attacks on religious communities and Nigeria’s wider security challenges.
Under the US International Religious Freedom Act, the CPC designation applies to countries whose governments are determined to have engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom.
It also gives Washington options to exert diplomatic pressure, restrict certain forms of assistance and pursue other measures aimed at encouraging improvements.
Nigerian Government Maintains Different Position
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has repeatedly rejected the characterisation of the country’s security crisis as a systematic campaign of religious persecution.
The Federal Government maintains that insecurity affects both Christians and Muslims and should not be viewed exclusively through a religious lens.
It has attributed the violence to several security threats, including terrorism, banditry, communal clashes and farmer-herder conflicts.
Terrorist organisations, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have also continued to pose serious security challenges, particularly in the North-East.
The government has insisted that it remains committed to protecting Nigerians regardless of religious affiliation, while pointing to ongoing security operations and diplomatic engagements as part of its response.
Moore’s latest remarks suggest that religious freedom and the protection of Christian communities will remain significant issues in Washington’s relationship with Abuja.
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