… Urges Action Over Christian Persecution
On Wednesday, US Representative Riley M. Moore held a “frank, honest, and productive discussion” with a delegation of senior Nigerian officials led by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, to address the deepening crisis of Christian persecution and terrorism in Nigeria.
The delegation, which traveled to Washington, D.C., included Bianca Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector-General of Police; Lateef Olasunkami Fagbemi, SAN, Attorney General; General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff; and Lt-Gen. E. A. P. Undiandeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence; Ms. Idayat Hassan, Special Adviser to the Office of the National Security Adviser; and other senior diplomats and policy advisers.
According to a statement released by Congressman Moore’s office, the U.S. “stands ready to work cooperatively with the Nigerians” to help counter the threat posed by Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Fulani militant groups — particularly in Nigeria’s North-East and Middle Belt regions.
Congressman Moore said he made it “crystal clear that the United States must see tangible steps to ensure that Christians are not subject to violence, persecution, displacement, and death simply for believing in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
He continued: “President Trump and Congress are united and serious in our resolve to end the violence against Christians and disrupt and destroy terrorist groups within Nigeria.”
During the meeting, Nigerian officials reportedly laid out the country’s security challenges, including counterterrorism efforts, protection of vulnerable communities, and the difficulties posed by widespread violence.
The meeting is part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to deepen US–Nigeria cooperation on security, especially in light of recent warnings from American lawmakers about religious persecution.
It comes after Washington designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) — a label reserved for countries that the US deems engage in or tolerate “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.”
Congressman Moore recently introduced a House resolution condemning the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, backing President Trump’s efforts to restore Nigeria’s CPC status.
In a previous letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Moore warned that “Nigeria has become the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian,” citing reports that over 7,000 Christians have been killed in 2025 alone.
The Nigerian government has pushed back on claims of systemic religious persecution.
According to a Reuters report, Abuja rejected the CPC designation, calling it “based on misinformation or faulty data.”
Nigeria’s Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, said that Nigeria’s security challenges are rooted in terrorism, not a targeting of Christians, and defended the government’s record in fighting Islamist insurgency.
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