President Donald Trump's administration on Friday declared Nigeria a “country of particular concern” as calls for caution continue.
Nigerians, including those living in the United States, are calling for caution to avoid plunging Nigeria into a religious crisis.
In a statement shortly after President Trump designated Nigeria as a country of particular concern, Congressman Riley Moore praised the decision, describing Nigeria as “the deadliest country in the world for Christians.”
“I want to sincerely thank President Trump for his incredible leadership and decisive action in designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern. Nigeria has become a breeding ground for the martyrdom of Christians, and I am proud to lead the effort in Congress to protect our brothers and sisters in Christ who are being killed since I was first sworn into Congress. Nigeria is by far the deadliest country in the world to be a Christian.
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Moore, a US lawmaker representing West Virginia's 2nd Congressional District, revealed how he has been seeking this designation since his first floor speech in April, where I highlighted the plight of Christians in Muslim-majority countries.
” Then I introduced H.Res. 594 in July to draw attention to these atrocities against our brothers and sisters in Christ.
He claimed that more than 7,000 Christians have been martyred this year alone – an average of 35 every day.
Moore called the designation “an important first step in holding the Nigerian government accountable for engaging in and tolerating particularly egregious violations of religious freedom, including doing nothing to stop mass killings targeting Christians and upholding blasphemy laws that disproportionately target Christians.”
“I am grateful that the President has asked Chairman Tom Cole and me to work through the Appropriations Committee to ensure that Nigeria gets the international attention, pressure and accountability it so urgently needs.
“This CPC designation sends a clear message: The United States will not turn a blind eye to the massacre of Christians, and we stand ready to defend our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world,” he said on his social media handle.
But Washington DC, US-based Nigerian Pascal Mbouike, in a telephone conversation with BusinessDay, warned of rising religious tensions in Nigeria.
Imo state-born Mbouike described claims of genocide against Christians as “false given the prevailing insecurity in different parts of the country”.
“As an American and Nigerian with a Christian religious background, who is also deeply knowledgeable about the issues of insecurity in Nigeria, I honestly believe that these claims are wrong, dangerous, and capable of inflaming passions in an already tense environment like Nigeria,” he said.
I believe that the proposed “US Bill on Nigeria, titled: “Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act, 2025”, seeking to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” and impose sanctions on individuals allegedly involved in religious persecution, may arise from an attempt to deceive the international community about the current security situation in Nigeria.
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“Yes, there is no doubt that there are some instances where non-state actors, bandits, terrorists have carried out attacks on innocent communities in Nigeria, especially in the north central states of Plateau and Benue states, but these acts are not limited to these areas alone, nor do they specifically target Christians, as has been claimed.
“The stories of the deadly attacks by Boko Haram insurgents and ISWAP terrorists who beheaded more than 80 innocent Muslim farmers in Borno are global knowledge.
“Recently, these criminals attacked a mosque during morning prayers in an area called Unguwan Mantau in Malumfashi Local Government of Katsina State, killing over 50 people.
Mbavuike, who said terrorism cases in Plateau and Benue states are no exception, said “the government, through the office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, is currently addressing it decisively on the orders of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“President Tinubu is a Muslim, yet he is married to his only wife, Pastor Oluremi Tinubu, who pastors one of the largest churches in Nigeria, the Redeemed Christian Church of God RCCG.
“Nigeria is a secular country with no state religion. We therefore boldly reject the false narrative suggesting “Christian persecution/genocide in Nigeria” as it is currently being pushed by some Western media outlets with the support of some US lawmakers.
According to him, “There is no doubt that the country faces insecurity challenges which, as I explained above, are driven by crime, not religion, and the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made significant progress in dismantling the terrorist networks responsible.
“Therefore, we will continue to appeal to our brothers in America and around the world not to promote moral/religious division in Nigeria.”
Instead, they should join us in strengthening our resolve to build a united country that gives hope to the people of West Africa and indeed the whole of Africa.
“A verse in our national anthem says: “Though languages and tribes may differ, but in Brotherhood we stand.” This is our motto and guiding principle in Nigeria.
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“We invite our international partners to stand with Nigeria to maintain the progress achieved against insurgency and banditry.
He said Tinubu's administration is struggling to ensure that terrorism is reduced in the county
This administration of the All Progressives Congress APC is also being inspired by the profound thoughts and wisdom of Nentawe Yilawatada, a Christian from Plateau State, who is the National Chairman of the party.
“The administration has been focused on building peace, unity, national development and no amount of publicity can distract us from that mission,” he said.
It would be recalled that Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Hassan Kukah, had urged the international community not to re-designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious persecution.
He warned that such a move could undermine ongoing efforts to promote peace and interreligious dialogue
Kukah, while speaking at the launch of the Aid, ACIN, 2025 World Report on Religious Freedom in the World held recently at the Augustinium Hall in Vatican City, acknowledged that Nigeria’s challenge is “profound”.
However, he stressed that “Nigeria should be supported, not punished, as it has worked to overcome religious violence and national disunity.
The 1,248-page report documents a global decline in religious freedom, with more than 5.4 billion people living in countries where such rights are restricted.
It identifies authoritarianism, religious extremism, ethno-religious nationalism and organized crime as major drivers of oppression around the world.
Abuja-based cleric Abraham Oki also called for caution in handling the issues, but urged the Federal Government to intensify action against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and farmers/herders conflict in the country.
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“What is going on right now is not new, and we are not surprised that the global community is reacting the way it is.
” Benue and indeed the entire Middle Belt is facing intense attacks by Fulani herdsmen over the struggle for land to graze their animals and it is either the Federal Government that has become helpless or incompetent.
What is happening may not be of a religious nature, but we cannot deny the fact that the people who have been targeted are predominantly Christians.
“Many people in these areas, considered the agri-food basket of Nigeria, have been rendered homeless as their sources of livelihood continue to be destroyed and their communities razed to the ground
“They bury their loved ones every day without the help of the government that is supposed to protect them.”
