Key Points
- Thirty-one U.S. lawmakers praise Trump for restoring Nigeria’s CPC designation.
- Congress members say the move defends global religious freedom.
- Nigeria rejects U.S. claims, citing terrorism not religion as the cause of violence.
Thirty-one members of the U.S. Congress have praised President Donald Trump for designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged persecution of Christians.
They said the move was an important step toward addressing what they described as a growing Christian genocide in Nigeria.
The commendation came in a statement issued Tuesday by House Values Action Team Chairman Rep. Robert Aderholt, which was obtained by our correspondent Thursday.
“Hope to the People of Nigeria”
According to the lawmakers, Trump’s action gave hope to Christians in Nigeria and reflected a strong U.S. commitment to defending religious freedom worldwide.
“President Trump’s commitment to end the Christian genocide in Nigeria and his designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern gives hope to the people of Nigeria,” Aderholt stated. “This persecution of Christians must end.”
He added that terrorist groups had killed thousands of believers annually. Therefore, he said, the United States must lead efforts to confront such violence.
Lawmakers Praise Trump’s “Moral Stand”
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer supported Trump’s decision, noting that the United States finally had a leader ready to defend Christians across the world.
“God bless President Trump for standing up and protecting Christians around the globe,” Emmer stated.
In addition, GOP Chair Lisa McClain called the killings “a moral outrage and a crime against humanity.” Similarly, Reps. Josh Brecheen, Mary Miller, and Mark Alford urged tougher sanctions and greater international pressure on those responsible.
Rep. Chris Smith, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, explained that Trump’s decision restored the CPC designation that was lifted by the Biden administration in 2021.
“This is a powerful step toward holding the Nigerian government accountable for its complicity in the unchecked murder, rape, and torture of Christians,” Smith said.
Renewed Focus on Nigeria’s Religious Violence
Earlier, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Christianity faced an “existential threat” in Nigeria. He blamed radical Islamists for widespread killings and promised decisive action.
“Thousands of Christians are being killed,” he wrote. “Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a country of particular concern.”
He also vowed that the United States “will not stand by while atrocities happen” and promised to protect Christian populations globally.
Rep. Riley Moore, who helped push the issue in Congress, described the designation as “a demonstration of leadership and compassion.”
“We can no longer turn a blind eye to the bloodshed of our brothers and sisters in Christ,” Moore said. “This horrible persecution will end thanks to President Trump.”
Nigeria Rejects U.S. Allegations
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has dismissed U.S. claims of religious persecution.
Information Minister Mohammed Idris, at a press briefing Wednesday, said the U.S. position was based on “misrepresentation and misinformation” of Nigeria’s security situation.
He argued that the violence in Nigeria stemmed from terrorism and banditry, not religious bias.
President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed that Nigeria remains committed to freedom of worship.
In a statement on November 1, he said Nigeria “stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.”
He added that since 2023, his administration had worked with both Christian and Muslim leaders to address insecurity nationwide.
“The portrayal of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our reality,” Tinubu said. “Religious freedom and tolerance have always been part of our national identity.”
