U.S. Congressman Condemns Alleged Christian Genocide in Nigeria
A U.S. congressman, Riley Moore, representing West Virginia’s 2nd District, has introduced a resolution condemning the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The initiative was announced on X, where Moore emphasized that the move aligns with former President Donald Trump’s efforts to protect Christians facing targeted attacks across the country.
Moore highlighted that 20 other members of Congress have co-sponsored the resolution. He cited alarming statistics, including between 50,000 and 100,000 Christians killed since 2009, 19,000 churches burned, and millions displaced. These figures underscore the severity of the crisis, which has persisted for over a decade.
Key Points of the Resolution
The resolution outlines several critical concerns regarding the treatment of Christians in Nigeria. It notes that the country is experiencing the highest levels of violence against Christians globally, driven by groups such as Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Fulani militants. These groups have systematically targeted Christian communities through massacres, church burnings, kidnappings, and sexual violence, leading to widespread destruction and displacement.
The resolution also highlights specific incidents, such as the 2022 Pentecost Massacre, Christmas Eve 2023 massacre, and the Holy Week 2025 killings, which claimed hundreds of lives. It points out that these attacks are not random but deliberate campaigns of religious cleansing, often occurring during significant Christian holy days.
Disproportionate Impact on Christians
According to the resolution, Christians in Nigeria are being killed at a rate at least five times higher than Muslims when adjusted for population sizes. This disparity raises serious concerns about the systemic nature of the violence. Additionally, numerous pastors and priests have been kidnapped, tortured, or murdered, with over 250 clergy attacked or killed in the past decade.
One recent tragic case involved Father Sylvester Okechukwu, who was kidnapped and murdered on Ash Wednesday in 2025. The resolution also criticizes the Nigerian government for its failure to respond to early warnings of impending attacks, such as the October 14, 2025, massacre in Rachas village, Plateau State, where a pastor’s warning was dismissed by the Nigerian Army.
Government Denial and International Concerns
Despite overwhelming evidence, the Nigerian government has repeatedly denied the existence of religious persecution. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stated in September 2025 that “there’s no religious persecution in Nigeria,” despite documented cases of violence against Christians. Even after former President Trump designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) in 2025, Tinubu continued to deny the claims.
Nigeria is one of only seven countries retaining blasphemy laws that carry the death penalty, enforced in 12 northern states under Sharia law. These laws have been used to imprison and threaten Christians, minority Muslims, and other dissenters. The resolution condemns these laws and calls for their repeal.
International Reactions and Calls for Action
The resolution emphasizes the need for the United States to take decisive action to support Christians in Nigeria. It urges the U.S. government to use diplomatic, economic, and security tools to pressure the Nigerian government to end impunity for perpetrators of religiously motivated violence, protect Christian communities, and work to return internally displaced persons to their homelands.
It also calls for coordination with international partners to deliver humanitarian aid directly to victims through trusted nongovernmental and faith-based organizations. The resolution affirms the U.S. commitment to stand in solidarity with Christians and defend their right to practice their faith without fear of persecution.
Historical Context and Recent Developments
The resolution references previous designations of Nigeria as a CPC under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. However, the Biden administration’s 2021 decision to remove Nigeria from the CPC list coincided with an escalation in violence and persecution against Christians. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has consistently recommended Nigeria’s redesignation as a CPC since 2009.
The resolution concludes by urging the U.S. House of Representatives to condemn the ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria and stand ready to support former President Trump in taking decisive action to address this existential threat.