A member of the United States Congress, Rep. Riley Moore, has insisted that the US must not remove Nigeria from its Country of Particular Concern (CPC) designation list over the alleged persecution of Christians, citing continued violence in the Middle Belt.
This comes as the Christian Elders and Professionals Consultative Council of Nigeria (CEPCCN) threw its weight behind concerns raised by the US over the safety of Christian communities and the deteriorating security situation across the country.
Nigerian Govt Must Protect Christian Communities — Moore
Moore, in a post on his official X handle, backed a statement by the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs calling on the Nigerian government to protect Christian communities following the recent attack in Plateau State, describing it as a commitment Abuja had already made.
“We absolutely cannot remove the CPC designation from Nigeria while radical Islamic terrorists continue this horrific violence against Christians,” the Congressman wrote.
He added that the Nigerian government must meet its obligations to protect innocent Christian communities, aligning himself with the position of the US Bureau of African Affairs.
Moore’s remarks followed a post by the Bureau condemning the latest assault in Plateau State, where more than 24 residents were reportedly killed, with several others still missing.
Locals in the affected communities said the attackers stormed the villages late at night, opening fire on residents as they slept, leaving many families displaced and grieving. Community leaders described the assault as barbaric, and appealed to both state and federal authorities to deploy more security personnel to protect rural communities that have repeatedly come under attack.
The US Bureau of African Affairs said it was horrified by yet another deadly attack in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, noting that the timing was particularly troubling as it came shortly after a CPC Working Group meeting. The Bureau extended condolences to affected families and urged the Nigerian government to fulfil its commitments to protect Christian communities and hold perpetrators accountable.
The renewed comments from Moore and the State Department signal continued pressure from US lawmakers on the Trump administration to maintain Nigeria’s CPC status amid persistent attacks in Plateau, Benue and other parts of the Middle Belt.
The Nigerian government has consistently denied that the killings are religiously motivated, describing the crisis largely as clashes over land, resources and criminality.
Background To The CPC Designation
The US first designated Nigeria a CPC in 2020 under the International Religious Freedom Act — a classification reserved for countries deemed to have engaged in or tolerated systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom. Nigeria was removed from the list in 2021 but remained under close US monitoring. The Trump administration reinstated Nigeria to the list last year, and the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group has since met twice to assess progress and the effectiveness of measures taken by Abuja. The designation undergoes annual review, with the next one scheduled for November.
Christian Elders Back US, Insist All Nigerian Lives Are Equally Valuable
Meanwhile, CEPCCN, in a statement by its National Chairman, Bishop Alpha Ikpeama, titled “CEPCCN Reacts to US Concerns Over Christian Persecution and Nigeria Security Crisis: A Call for Urgent Protection of Citizens, Accountability, Strategic Partnership and National Unity,” stressed that every Nigerian life is equally valuable regardless of religious affiliation, noting that Christians, Muslims and traditional religious practitioners alike deserve protection from violence.
The council said every credible report of killing, persecution, kidnapping or displacement deserves serious attention, while specifically condemning attacks targeting Christians, churches, clergy and Christian communities because of their faith.
“CEPCCN believes that every credible concern about the killing, persecution, kidnapping or displacement of Nigerian citizens deserves serious attention,” the statement read. “The Council particularly condemns attacks against Christians, churches, clergy and Christian communities because of their faith. CEPCCN affirms that every Nigerian life is sacred — be it Christians, Muslims or traditional religious practitioners — and other vulnerable citizens must equally be protected. The fundamental responsibility for protecting Nigerian citizens rests with the Nigerian state.”
The council expressed concern over attacks on Christian communities, churches, clergy, families and other vulnerable populations in regions affected by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence.
Group Demands Thorough Investigation, Prosecution Of Perpetrators
CEPCCN called for a thorough investigation into attacks motivated by religious identity and the prosecution of those responsible, insisting no Nigerian should be killed, kidnapped, displaced or intimidated on account of religion, ethnicity, community or political affiliation.
It urged the government to strengthen intelligence gathering, early-warning systems, rapid response mechanisms, community protection efforts, and the prosecution of perpetrators.
“Christian lives must be protected; religious freedom must be defended. Human dignity must be respected,” the group said, adding that Nigeria’s security challenges are complex — involving terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, organised crime and communal tensions — and require a citizen-centred approach.
“Protect Christians. Protect Muslims. Protect traditional communities. Protect every Nigerian. Justice must be universal, and the value of human life must never depend upon religious identity,” the statement added.
CEPCCN also urged the Federal Government to respond to legitimate international concerns through engagement rather than confrontation, welcoming constructive cooperation with responsible international partners where such partnerships could strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to protect its citizens and combat terrorism.
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