U.S. Lawmaker Introduces Resolution Condemning Alleged Christian Persecution in Nigeria

A member of the United States Congress, Riley Moore, has introduced a resolution condemning the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria and voicing support for President Donald Trump’s efforts to address the issue.

In a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday, Moore announced that the resolution titled “Condemning the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and standing ready to support President Donald Trump in taking decisive action to end the existential threat that persecuted Christians face in Nigeria” was filed in the House of Representatives and referred to the appropriate committee.

“I just introduced a resolution condemning the atrocities Christians are facing in Nigeria and supporting @POTUS’ efforts to defend Christians who are being slaughtered,” Moore wrote.

Moore, who also chairs Trump’s investigative committee on alleged Christian persecution in Nigeria, described the country as “the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian.” He claimed that over 7,000 Christians have been killed in 2025 an average of 35 per day and that between 50,000 and 100,000 have been killed since 2009.

According to him, more than 19,000 churches have been destroyed and millions displaced in what he termed “systematic campaigns of religious cleansing.” He cited violent attacks on major Christian holidays, including the 2022 Pentecost massacre, the 2023 Christmas Eve attacks, and the 2025 Holy Week killings. Moore also noted that over 250 clergy members have been murdered in the past decade, referencing the killing of Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu on Ash Wednesday this year as evidence of “targeted jihadist attacks.”

The lawmaker accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christian communities or hold perpetrators accountable, citing an incident in Plateau State where a pastor who warned of an impending attack was accused of spreading misinformation only for several Christians to be killed the following day.

Moore criticised President Bola Tinubu for denying the existence of religious persecution, quoting his September 2025 statement that “there’s no religious persecution in Nigeria.” He urged Tinubu to “do the right thing” and strengthen U.S.-Nigeria relations through action.

The resolution references prior U.S. policy decisions, noting that President Trump had designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)” under the International Religious Freedom Act in both 2020 and 2025, a status that allows for sanctions against governments violating religious freedoms. It faulted the Biden administration for removing Nigeria from the CPC list in 2021, alleging that violence against Christians escalated thereafter.

It also cited reports from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, which has repeatedly recommended Nigeria’s redesignation as a CPC since 2009.

The resolution condemns attacks by Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and other militant groups, as well as what it describes as the Nigerian government’s inaction. It further denounces the enforcement of blasphemy laws carrying the death penalty and urges the U.S. to “raise its moral voice” against religious persecution.

Moore acknowledged support from 20 co-sponsors and over 55 faith-based and human rights organisations, including the American Center for Law and Justice, CatholicVote, Faith & Freedom Coalition, Open Doors USA, and Heritage Action.

“As I said at @CPAC’s Ending Christian Persecution summit: I will never stay silent as our brothers and sisters in Christ are being slaughtered for their faith,” Moore wrote. “The U.S. will consider every option to protect vulnerable Christians from slaughter. Now is the time to put on the full armour of God.”