Washington, D.C. — Riley M. Moore, the U.S. Representative for West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District, has appealed to former President Donald Trump to reclassify Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), citing what he described as “systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians” in the country. In a letter dated October 6, 2025, addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Moore urged the administration to take immediate diplomatic action and to suspend all U.S. arms sales and technical support to Nigeria until it shows a serious commitment to protecting believers.
Moore claimed that more than 7,000 Christians have already been killed in Nigeria in 2025 alone, or approximately 35 per day. He also cited data suggesting that roughly 19,100 churches have been attacked or destroyed in Nigeria since 2009. He alleged that extremist groups—including Boko Haram, Ansaru, and ISIS–West Africa—are behind much of the violence, and he further accused “corrupt cells” within Nigeria’s government of complicity in targeting Christian communities.
Moore emphasized that President Trump had previously designated Nigeria as a CPC, a classification that was rescinded under President Biden. He urged its reinstatement to restore diplomatic tools to hold Nigeria accountable. In his statement, Moore said:> “Nigeria has become the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian. … The United States cannot stand idly by while believers are slaughtered. … It’s time for the United States to defend our brothers and sisters in Christ, and designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern will provide the diplomatic levers to do just that.”