Nigeria must protect Christians before CPC tag is removed — US lawmaker

A United States Congressman, Riley Moore, has opposed any move to remove Nigeria from the US list of Countries of Particular Concern, CPC, over alleged religious persecution, citing continued attacks in the Middle Belt.

Moore said the designation should remain in place until the Nigerian government demonstrates that it can protect Christian communities from violence.

The Republican lawmaker made the position known in a post on his official X account while reacting to comments by the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs following the latest deadly attack in Plateau State.

“We absolutely cannot remove the CPC designation from Nigeria while radical Islamic terrorists continue this horrific violence against Christians,” Moore said.

“The Nigerian government must meet its commitments to protect innocent Christian communities,” he added.

The US Bureau of African Affairs had earlier condemned the Plateau attack, in which more than 24 people were reportedly killed and others remained 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 those responsible were held accountable.

“The United States is horrified by yet another murderous attack in the Middle Belt of Nigeria, killing dozens of people asleep in their homes in Plateau State,” the bureau said.

The latest comments have renewed pressure from some US lawmakers for the administration of President Donald Trump to maintain scrutiny of Nigeria’s handling of religious violence, particularly in Plateau, Benue and other parts of the Middle Belt.

The Nigerian government has consistently rejected claims that the conflicts are primarily driven by religious persecution, attributing much of the violence to factors including land disputes, resource competition, criminality and insecurity.

The US first designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern in 2020 under the International Religious Freedom Act over what it considered systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom.

Nigeria was removed from the list in 2021 but remained under US monitoring before the Trump administration restored the CPC designation last year.

The Nigeria-US Joint Working Group referenced by the US Bureau of African Affairs has since held two meetings to assess progress and review measures taken by the Nigerian government to address Washington’s concerns.

The CPC designation is reviewed annually by the US State Department, with the next review scheduled for November.

Christian group backs US concerns

Meanwhile, the Christian Elders and Professionals Consultative Council of Nigeria, CEPCCN, has backed concerns raised by the US over the safety of Christian communities and Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation.

In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Bishop Alpha Ikpeama, the group said all Nigerian lives should be protected regardless of religious affiliation.

The council condemned attacks targeting Christians, churches, clergy and Christian communities because of their faith, while also stressing that Muslims, traditional religious practitioners and other vulnerable citizens deserved equal protection.

“CEPCCN believes that every credible concern about the killing, persecution, kidnapping or displacement of Nigerian citizens deserves serious attention,” the group said.

It called on the Federal Government to investigate attacks allegedly motivated by religious identity and ensure that perpetrators were prosecuted.

The council also urged authorities to strengthen intelligence gathering, early-warning systems, rapid response mechanisms, community protection and prosecution of violent offenders.

“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,” it said.

CEPCCN acknowledged that Nigeria’s security crisis was complex, involving terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, organised crime and communal tensions.

It therefore urged the government to adopt a citizen-centred security strategy while engaging constructively with international partners whose support could strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to protect citizens and combat terrorism.

“Christian lives must be protected; religious freedom must be defended. Human dignity must be respected,” the council said.