US won't remove Nigeria's 'persecution' tag amid Christian killings: Congressman

U.S. Congressman Riley Moore has stated that Nigeria must not be removed from its Country of Particular Concern (CPC) designation, citing the continued violence targeting Christians in the Middle Belt region. His stance aligns with concerns raised by the U.S. State Department regarding the safety of Christian communities and the escalating security crisis in Nigeria.

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We absolutely cannot remove the CPC designation from Nigeria while radical Islamic terrorists continue this horrific violence against Christians.

Moore, responding to a statement by the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, emphasized that the Nigerian government must uphold its commitment to protecting innocent Christian populations. This call comes after a recent attack in Plateau State, where over 24 locals were reportedly killed and many others went missing. The U.S. Bureau of African Affairs condemned the "murderous attack," extending condolences and urging accountability for the perpetrators.

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@AsstSecStateAF is right. The Nigerian government must meet its commitments to protect innocent Christian communities.

Community leaders in Plateau State described the assault as "barbaric and senseless," appealing for increased security presence to protect rural areas frequently targeted. The U.S. designation of Nigeria as a CPC in 2020 under the International Religious Freedom Act highlights persistent attacks in states like Plateau and Benue. However, the Nigerian government has consistently denied that the conflicts are religiously motivated, instead characterizing them as clashes over land, resources, and general criminality.

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The United States is horrified by yet another murderous attack in the Middle Belt of Nigeria, killing dozens of people asleep in their homes in Plateau State.