RismadarVoice Reporters, August 21, 2026
A member of the United States Congress, Rep. Riley Moore, has insisted that Nigeria should remain on the US Country of Particular Concern, CPC, list over alleged persecution of Christians, citing continued attacks in the country’s Middle Belt.
Moore’s position came as the Christian Elders and Professionals Consultative Council of Nigeria, CEPCCN, backed concerns raised by the United States over the safety of Christian communities and Nigeria’s worsening security situation.
In a post on his official X handle, Moore supported the US State Department’s call for the Nigerian government to protect Christian communities following a recent attack in Plateau State.
The Congressman said the United States should not remove Nigeria from the CPC list while violence against Christians continues.
“We absolutely cannot remove the CPC designation from Nigeria while radical Islamic terrorists continue this horrific violence against Christians,” Moore said.
He added that the Nigerian government must fulfil its commitments to protect Christian communities.
Moore was reacting to a statement by the US Bureau of African Affairs, which condemned the latest attack in Plateau State, where more than 24 people were reportedly killed, with several others still missing.
The Bureau described the incident as another “murderous attack” in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and urged the Nigerian government to protect Christian communities and ensure that perpetrators of violence were held accountable.
The latest comments have renewed pressure from US lawmakers over Nigeria’s security situation, particularly amid persistent attacks in Plateau, Benue and other parts of the Middle Belt.
However, the Nigerian government has repeatedly rejected claims that the conflicts are primarily driven by religious persecution, describing the violence as being linked to a combination of land disputes, resource competition, criminality and other security challenges.
The United States first designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern in 2020 under the International Religious Freedom Act, a classification applied to countries deemed to have engaged in or tolerated systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom.
Nigeria was removed from the list in 2021 but remained under close monitoring by the US State Department.
The Trump administration subsequently returned Nigeria to the CPC list last year. Since then, the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group has held meetings to assess progress and review measures being taken by the Nigerian government to address concerns raised by Washington.
The CPC designation is reviewed annually by the US State Department, with the next review scheduled for November.
Meanwhile, CEPCCN has expressed support for concerns raised by the United States over attacks on Christian communities and the broader security crisis in Nigeria.
In a statement titled, “CEPCCN Reacts to US Concerns Over Christian Persecution and Nigeria Security Crisis: A Call for Urgent Protection of Citizens, Accountability, Strategic Partnership and National Unity,” the group said every Nigerian life should be protected irrespective of religious affiliation.
The statement, signed by the National Chairman of CEPCCN, His Lordship Bishop Alpha Ikpeama, condemned attacks against Christians, churches, clergy and Christian communities because of their faith.
The council also stressed that Muslims, traditional religious practitioners and other vulnerable Nigerians deserved equal protection.
It said the primary responsibility for protecting citizens rests with the Nigerian government.
CEPCCN called for thorough investigations into attacks allegedly motivated by religious identity and the prosecution of those responsible.
The group urged the government to strengthen intelligence gathering, early-warning systems, rapid response mechanisms, community protection and the prosecution of perpetrators.
“Christian lives must be protected; religious freedom must be defended. Human dignity must be respected,” the council said.
The group acknowledged that Nigeria’s security challenges are complex, involving terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, organised crime and communal tensions.
It therefore called for a citizen-centred approach to tackling insecurity.
“Protect Christians. Protect Muslims. Protect traditional communities. Protect every Nigerian. Justice must be universal, and the value of human life must never depend upon religious identity,” CEPCCN said.
The council also urged the Federal Government to address legitimate international concerns through diplomatic engagement rather than confrontation.
It welcomed cooperation with responsible international partners, particularly where such partnerships could improve Nigeria’s capacity to protect citizens and combat terrorism.
