U.S. congressman accuses Nigerian Government of failing to stop killings of Christians

International, North America

WASHINGTON, U.S. (NPA) — US Congressman Riley Moore, who heads the congressional committee mandated by President Donald Trump to investigate alleged killings of Christians, has accused the Nigerian Government of indifference and failure to act.

In a post on his X account Thursday, Moore recalled his visit to Nigeria, noting that while the government swiftly intervened to quell a coup in neighboring Benin Republic, it has stood idle as Christian citizens are slaughtered in Plateau State. He described the scenes as “absolutely horrific” and “unconscionable.”

Moore was reacting to a circulating video showing Christians gathered for a mass burial of victims from a previous attack, where mourners were again targeted and murdered in cold blood by alleged radical Islamic terrorists.

The congressman chaired the committee that pushed for Nigeria’s redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), citing systematic assaults on Christian communities. The committee, which included Chairman Tom Cole and members of the House Appropriations Committee, declared: “Nigeria is the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian. Christians face ongoing violent attacks from well-armed Fulani militias and terrorist groups, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths, the destruction of churches and schools, and widespread kidnappings. Blasphemy laws in northern states are used to silence dissent, target minorities, and justify convictions without due process.”

Moore insisted that Nigeria has the capacity to root out terrorism but fails to act, even when forewarned of attacks. “Enough is enough,” he said, urging the Trump Administration to take “forceful action” to defend Christians in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, which he described as the epicenter of an ongoing genocide.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, met yesterday with US Charge d’Affaires David Heffern to discuss security cooperation and bilateral relations.

Her statement described the talks as “constructive,” covering security and defence, border and migration challenges, counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing, visa concerns, and broader regional stability. Both sides also addressed Nigeria’s CPC designation.

Ojukwu affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to continued engagement with US authorities to review the designation and strengthen cooperation aimed at reversing it, while deepening bilateral ties.

The CPC status remains a flashpoint in Nigeria–US relations, especially amid Washington’s concerns over religious violence and insecurity in parts of the country.