- U.S. Congressman Riley Moore wants Nigeria to retain its CPC designation
- He cited recent killings of Christians in Plateau State
- Moore urged stronger action to protect religious communities
U.S. Congressman Riley Moore has called on Washington to retain Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), arguing that continued attacks on Christians in the Middle Belt show that religious violence remains a serious concern.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that Moore, a Republican who represents West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District, made the comments on Tuesday through a post on X following the latest deadly attack in Plateau State.
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At least 24 people were killed when gunmen attacked the Bin-Per community in Ruff, Kombun District, Mangu Local Government Area, between Monday night and Tuesday morning.
Reacting to the incident, Moore argued that the latest violence was evidence that the U.S. State Department should not remove Nigeria from its CPC list.
He said attacks against Christian communities were continuing in the Middle Belt despite what he described as improvements in parts of northern Nigeria.
Moore also warned against repeating what he described as the decision of the Joe Biden administration to remove Nigeria from the CPC designation after Donald Trump’s first presidency.
He linked the removal to subsequent violence against Christians and called for stronger measures to protect religious communities in Nigeria.
The latest attack left several families mourning, with the victims buried in a mass ceremony in the community on Tuesday. Those who survived the attack with injuries were taken to hospitals for medical attention.
Women from the affected community also staged a peaceful demonstration, carrying leaves as they appealed to the government to take stronger steps to protect residents from further attacks.
Moore’s comments came as the United States and Nigeria continue discussions on security and religious freedom.
The congressman also referenced remarks by U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, who said she had met with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in Washington during the second meeting of the U.S.-Nigeria Joint Working Group.
According to Hooker, Washington remains focused on protecting Christian communities and has identified measures aimed at reducing violence against vulnerable religious groups.
She also said the United States would continue holding governments accountable for ensuring that Christians can practise their religion without threats or persecution.
Moore, however, urged the State Department not to remove Nigeria from the CPC list, insisting that the country had not done enough to protect Christians from attacks.
Nigeria was first designated a Country of Particular Concern by the Trump administration in 2020 over concerns about religious freedom. The Biden administration removed the designation in 2021, but Trump restored it on October 31, 2025.
Moore has remained one of the U.S. lawmakers advocating for stronger American action over the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. In November 2025, he introduced a House resolution condemning the alleged persecution of Christians in the country.
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