Plateau Killings: Moore Warns Against Removing Nigeria From US Religious-Freedom Watchlist

LAGOS — US Congressman Riley Moore has rejected calls to remove Nigeria from the United States’ Country of Particular Concern (CPC) designation, arguing that continued attacks against Christians in the Middle Belt make the classification necessary.

Moore spoke as the Christian Elders and Professionals Consultative Council of Nigeria (CEPCCN) endorsed US concerns about attacks on Christian communities and the country’s deteriorating security situation.

Reacting yesterday on his official X account to comments from the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Moore said Washington was right to demand greater protection for Christian communities 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,” he said.

“@AsstSecStateAF is right. The Nigerian government must meet its commitments to protect innocent Christian communities,” Moore added.

His comments followed a statement from the US Bureau of African Affairs condemning the latest violence in Plateau, where more than 24 people were reportedly killed and several others were reported missing.

According to residents, the attackers entered affected communities during the night and opened fire on residents in their homes. The attacks reportedly left families displaced and grieving.

Community leaders condemned the assault as “barbaric and senseless” and called on the federal and state governments to strengthen security in rural areas that have repeatedly come under attack.

The US Bureau of African Affairs said it was “horrified by yet another murderous attack in the Middle Belt of Nigeria,” adding that the incident was particularly troubling because it occurred shortly after a CPC Working Group meeting.

The Bureau extended condolences to the families of those killed and missing and urged the Nigerian government to fulfil its commitments to protect Christian communities and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.

The latest US statements could further increase pressure on the Trump administration over Nigeria’s religious-freedom status, particularly as attacks continue across Plateau, Benue and other parts of the Middle Belt.

Abuja, however, has consistently denied that the violence is driven primarily by religious persecution, saying the conflicts involve a combination of land and resource disputes, criminality and other security factors.

The United States first designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern in 2020 under the International Religious Freedom Act. The designation applies to countries considered to have engaged in or tolerated systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom.

Nigeria was removed from the CPC list in 2021 but continued to face monitoring by the US State Department.

The Trump administration placed Nigeria back on the list last year. Since then, the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group has held two meetings to examine progress and assess measures adopted by the Nigerian government in response to US concerns.

The CPC designation is reviewed every year, with the next review expected in November.

CEPCCN: Every Nigerian Life Matters

In a separate development, CEPCCN said it supported US concerns about the safety of Christian communities but stressed that protection must extend to every Nigerian regardless of religion.

In a statement signed by National Chairman Bishop Alpha Ikpeama, the council said Christians, Muslims, traditional religious practitioners and other vulnerable citizens were equally entitled to protection.

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

The council specifically condemned attacks against Christians, churches, clergy and Christian communities because of their faith.

It added: “CEPCCN affirms that every Nigerian life is sacred, be it Christians, Muslims or traditional religious practitioners and other vulnerable citizens must equally be protected.”

According to the council, the primary responsibility for protecting citizens rests with the Nigerian state.

It expressed concern over violence affecting Christian communities, churches, clergy, families and other vulnerable populations amid terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal conflicts.

Calls for Accountability

CEPCCN called for comprehensive investigations into attacks linked to religious identity and demanded that those responsible be prosecuted.

It said no Nigerian should be killed, kidnapped, displaced or intimidated because of religion, ethnicity, community or political identity.

The council urged the government to improve intelligence gathering, early-warning systems, rapid response, community protection and prosecution of offenders.

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

The group also noted that Nigeria’s security crisis is multifaceted, involving terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, organised crime, communal tensions and other factors, and called for a citizen-focused strategy.

Its message was unequivocal: “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.”

CEPCCN also urged the Federal Government to engage international partners on legitimate security and religious-freedom concerns rather than confront them, saying responsible international cooperation could help strengthen Nigeria’s ability to protect citizens and fight terrorism.

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