U.S. Representative Riley M. Moore has urged President Donald Trump to promptly reinstate Nigeria’s designation as a ‘Country of Particular Concern (CPC)’ due to what he describes as the ongoing “systematic persecution and massacre” of Christians within the nation.
In a letter dated October 6, 2025, addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the West Virginia congressman called for an immediate halt to all arms sales and related military assistance to Nigeria. He emphasized that such support should only resume once the Nigerian government proves its genuine commitment to halting the violence and oppression.
Moore highlighted that from January through September 2025, extremist Muslim factions were responsible for the deaths of over 7,000 Christians. Additionally, he noted that since 2015, at least 250 Catholic priests have been victims of attacks or killings.
He also pointed out that since the Boko Haram insurgency began in 2009, approximately 19,100 churches have been targeted or destroyed across Nigeria.
“The Nigerian authorities have consistently failed to safeguard their Christian communities from these persistent, coordinated assaults. Until credible measures are taken to stop these atrocities, the United States should withhold all military aid and weaponry,” Moore asserted.
This appeal comes amid heightened global scrutiny of religious violence in Nigeria. During his initial term, President Trump had classified Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, a designation that was later revoked by President Joe Biden.
Several notable American personalities, including Senator Ted Cruz, political commentator Van Jones, and television host Bill Maher, have publicly referred to the situation in Nigeria as a “Christian genocide.”
On Maher’s podcast, Senator Cruz recently claimed that Nigerian Christians are being “deliberately targeted and slaughtered,” labeling the nigeria-conflict-north/” title=”Pregnancy Turns Into a Harrowing Struggle Amid Conflict in Northern …”>ongoing violence as “genocide.”
In response, the Nigerian Federal Government rejected these accusations, asserting that the nation’s security issues are not driven by religious motives.
Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, issued a statement on Monday condemning the allegations as “false, misleading, and likely to incite division.”
“These foreign commentators are spreading baseless claims about a supposed genocide in Nigeria,” Dare stated. “We call on Nigerians and the global community to dismiss these unfounded attempts to tarnish the country’s reputation.”
He reaffirmed the government’s dedication to combating insecurity in all its forms and ensuring the protection of all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs.
