US lawmaker opposes lifting Nigeria’s CPC status after Plateau attack

United States Congressman Riley Moore has stated that the U.S. Department of State should not remove Nigeria's designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) due to persistent attacks against Christians in the country's Middle Belt region. Moore, a Republican representing West Virginia, made his position clear on his X (formerly Twitter) account.

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This is exactly why the @StateDept cannot lift Nigeria’s CPC designation. Christians are being slaughtered across the Middle Belt with impunity. There may be progress in the north, but nothing has changed in the Middle Belt where most attacks against Christians occur.

His statement came in response to a recent attack in Plateau State, where gunmen killed at least 24 people in a community within Mangu Local Government Area. "This is exactly why the @StateDept cannot lift Nigeria’s CPC designation," Moore posted. "Christians are being slaughtered across the Middle Belt with impunity. There may be progress in the north, but nothing has changed in the Middle Belt where most attacks against Christians occur."

Moore cautioned against repeating what he described as a mistake made by the Biden Administration, which he claims removed the CPC designation after President Trump's first term, leading to a surge in violence against Christians. "We must stop the genocide," he urged. The attack in Plateau State targeted the Bin-Per community, with victims receiving a mass burial on Tuesday while the injured are being treated in hospitals. Women from the community also held a protest, calling for urgent government action.

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We must stop the genocide.

Moore referenced a statement by Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, who had hosted Nigerian National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. Hooker affirmed the U.S. commitment to safeguarding Christian communities and identified steps to protect those facing violence. However, Moore quoted Hooker to emphasize his point: "DO NOT remove the CPC designation for Nigeria. They have not done near enough to protect Christians! They continue to get slaughtered!!" Nigeria was first designated a CPC in 2020 under the Trump administration for severe religious freedom violations, a designation that was removed in 2021 under the Biden administration. Trump redesignated Nigeria as a CPC on October 31, 2025.

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DO NOT remove the CPC designation for Nigeria. They have not done near enough to protect Christians! They continue to get slaughtered!!