Trump Reviewing Sanctions Against Nigeria Over Christian Persecution – US Lawmaker
US President Donald Trump is reviewing a report recommending sanctions and other measures against Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians and worsening insecurity, US Representative Riley M. Moore has said.
Moore disclosed this on Thursday via his X handle, explaining that President Trump designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and tasked him with leading an investigation into religious violence and security threats in the country.
“President Trump named Nigeria a CPC due to the horrific persecution of Christians & serious security threats the country faces. He asked me to lead the investigation,” Moore wrote.
“On Monday, I delivered our report to the White House. @POTUS is reviewing our recommendations.”
Moore said the violence in Nigeria affects people of all faiths but that Christians have suffered the most over the past two decades.
“Christians are five times more likely to be killed than any other religious group,” he added.
He alleged that Fulani militias and terrorist groups have repeatedly attacked Christians, targeting pastors and priests, burning schools and churches, often on holy days, and killing tens of thousands.
Moore praised President Trump’s “decisive action” as an opportunity to strengthen US–Nigeria relations while confronting the crisis.
While acknowledging Nigeria’s security challenges, Moore called on the administration of President Bola Tinubu to take stronger action.
He said Abuja must show political will to protect Christians by allocating resources to reduce and end the violence.
Moore proposed that any bilateral agreement between the US and Nigeria should include co-funding of humanitarian programmes prioritising Christians in the Middle Belt, early-warning mechanisms for attacks, deployment of security forces to prevent violence, and measures to remove Fulani militias from farmland to allow displaced communities to return home.
On the US side, Moore recommended providing technical and security support, including programmes to confiscate illicit weapons, supporting the Ministry of Livestock and land reforms, enhancing security force capabilities, and cooperating on counter-terrorism. He also urged sanctions and visa restrictions.
“We urged President Trump to implement sanctions and restrict visas for individuals who participate in or tolerate violence against Christians,” Moore said.
“America has a right to control who enters our country. We should reject anyone attacking our brothers and sisters in Christ.”
He further called for a National Intelligence Estimate on Nigeria’s instability to determine whether Fulani militias and other armed actors should be designated as Foreign Terrorist Organisations.
“I will never stay silent as our brothers and sisters in Christ are being slaughtered for their faith and other innocents are killed at the hands of radical Islamic terrorists,” Moore said, adding that he believes the report’s recommendations “will help stop violence against Christians, stabilise the country for all Nigerians, and strengthen the US–Nigeria relationship.”
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
