A US Congressman has opposed any move by the US Department of State to remove Nigeria from the list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC), citing continued attacks on Christian communities in the Middle Belt
The Congressman referenced comments by US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker following recent security discussions between Nigeria and the United States United States
Congressman Riley Moore has opposed any move by the US Department of State to remove Nigeria from the list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC), citing continued attacks on Christian communities in the Middle Belt.News Moore, a Republican representing West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District, stated his position on Tuesday in a post on X following the latest deadly attack in Plateau State.Geographic Reference
At least 24 people were reportedly killed when gunmen attacked the Bin-Per community in Ruff, Kombun District, Mangu Local Government Area, between Monday night and Tuesday. Reacting to the incident, Moore said the attack was evidence that Nigeria’s CPC designation should remain in place. “This is exactly why the @State
Dept cannot lift Nigeria’s CPC designation,” Moore said. “Christians are being slaughtered across the Middle Belt with impunity. There may be progress in the north, but nothing has changed in the Middle Belt where most attacks against Christians occur. “We cannot make the same mistake the Biden Administration made. Biden removed the CPC designation from Nigeria after President Trump’s first term and all hell broke loose on Christians. We must stop the genocide.”
The victims of the Plateau attack were given a mass burial on Tuesday, while those injured were taken to hospitals for treatment. Women from the affected community also staged a peaceful protest, demanding urgent government intervention to protect residents. Moore further referenced comments by US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker following recent security discussions between Nigeria and the United States. Hooker had said she hosted Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in Washington for the second session of the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group.Geographic Reference
According to her, the United States remained committed to protecting Christian communities and had identified concrete measures to safeguard people facing violence.
She also pledged that countries would be held accountable for ensuring Christians could practise their faith without threats or persecution.
However, Moore, while quoting Hooker, said: “DO NOT remove the CPC designation for Nigeria. They have not done near enough to protect Christians! They continue to get slaughtered!!”
Nigeria was first designated a Country of Particular Concern in 2020 under former US President Donald Trump over what the US described as severe violations of religious freedom.
The Biden administration removed Nigeria from the CPC list in 2021, but Trump redesignated the country as a CPC on October 31, 2025. Moore has continued to advocate the designation and stronger US action over attacks against Christians in Nigeria. In November 2025, he introduced a resolution in the US House of Representatives condemning the persecution of Christians in the country.
The latest development is expected to keep international attention focused on Nigeria’s handling of insecurity and religious violence, particularly in the Middle Belt.
