US Lawmaker Backs Trump’s Call to Redesignate Nigeria Over Christian Persecution

A United States lawmaker, Riley Moore, has expressed support for former President Donald Trump’s call to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over alleged persecution of Christians in the country.

Trump, during a speech on Wednesday evening, alleged that Christians in Nigeria are facing “an existential threat” from what he described as radical Islamic terrorists, claiming that thousands have been killed in recent years.

“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands and thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a country of particular concern — that is a legal definition,” Trump declared.

He urged U.S. lawmakers to take swift action, directing the House Appropriations Committee and key members of Congress to investigate the situation.

“Something has to be done. I am asking Congressman Riley Moore, together with Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee, to immediately look into this matter and report back to me — I mean, like immediately,” Trump said.

The former president also warned that the United States could consider military intervention if the alleged killings continue.

“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria and other countries. We are able and willing to defend Christians — the killing of Christians is not going to happen,” Trump stated.

Reacting to Trump’s remarks in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Congressman Moore thanked the former president for his leadership and pledged to brief him soon on findings from his ongoing inquiry.

“Thank you, President Trump, for your incredible leadership in defending persecuted Christians, especially in Nigeria. Your bold and decisive action to protect our brothers and sisters in Christ will save thousands of lives. I am on it and will have more for you soon,” Moore wrote.

Trump had earlier reiterated on his Truth Social platform that Nigeria would return to the U.S. list of Countries of Particular Concern, a designation reserved for nations accused of violating religious freedom.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has strongly rejected the allegations, describing Trump’s claims as false, misleading, and politically motivated.

In a post on his X handle, President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to religious liberty, emphasizing that ongoing insecurity is not based on religion.

“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” Tinubu said.

He added that his administration continues to engage with both Christian and Muslim leaders to tackle insecurity nationwide.

“Since 2023, our administration has maintained an open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges affecting citizens across faiths and regions,” Tinubu noted.

Tinubu further dismissed external portrayals of Nigeria as religiously intolerant, insisting they do not reflect the country’s diversity and government efforts toward peace.

“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians,” he added.