The U.S. House of Representatives is currently reviewing a resolution condemning the persecution and killings of Christians in Nigeria, while backing President Donald Trump’s decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over serious violations of religious freedom.
The resolution, submitted by Representative Riley M. Moore of West Virginia, cites extensive data showing widespread violence against Christians and urges the U.S. to apply diplomatic, economic, and security pressure on Nigeria’s government. Moore shared the six-page document on his X handle.
According to the resolution:
- 50,000–100,000 Christians have been killed for their faith since 2009.
- Over 7,000 Christians were reportedly killed in 2025 alone—an average of 35 per day.
- More than 19,000 churches have been attacked or destroyed.
- In Benue and Plateau States, over 9,500 people, mostly Christians, were killed between May 2023 and May 2025 by Fulani militants.
The resolution states that these attacks are deliberate campaigns of religious cleansing, not random or intercommunal clashes. Groups named as responsible include Boko Haram, ISWAP, and Fulani militants, accused of carrying out massacres, church burnings, kidnappings, and sexual violence.
It criticizes President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for allegedly denying the existence of religious persecution despite repeated reports and urges the U.S. government to use all available diplomatic, economic, and security tools to protect Christian communities.
The measure also calls for the repeal of blasphemy laws and the release of all prisoners detained for their faith.
“Christians in Nigeria are being killed at a rate at least five times higher than Muslims,” the resolution noted, affirming that the United States stands in solidarity with Christians and will defend their right to practice their faith without fear of persecution, violence, or death.
The resolution further supports President Trump’s October 31, 2025, CPC redesignation of Nigeria, which allows the U.S. to impose sanctions and take diplomatic action against the country over religious persecution.