U.S. lawmakers Riley Moore and Ted Cruz are putting pressure on Nigeria to work with the U.S. to stop what they call the mass killings of Christians in the country.
In a recent post on his social media, Trump claimed that Christianity in Nigeria is facing an ‘existential threat,’ blaming radical Islamist groups for the widespread violence against Christians. He mentioned that Nigeria would be labelled a ‘country of particular concern.’
During an interview, Moore expressed, ‘Don’t test President Trump’s resolve—he’s serious about ending the ongoing slaughter of Christians in Nigeria. I’m asking the Nigerian government to do the right thing and team up with the United States to protect Christians and put an end to this violence against our brothers and sisters in Christ.’ He also stated that he and fellow members of the House Appropriations Committee are collaborating with the U.S. State Department, the White House, and the National Security Council to coordinate a response.
Cruz has introduced a bill called the ‘Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025,’ which aims to formally classify Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ and impose sanctions on local officials complicit in these atrocities. He argued that Nigeria has ‘enormous leverage’ from the U.S. that could initiate changes, and pointed out that Nigerian politicians who downplay the killings fear America’s diplomatic and economic influence.
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In a notable escalation, Trump warned that if the Nigerian government doesn’t take action, the U.S. might consider deploying military forces, instructing the Pentagon to be ready for potential action.
On the Nigerian side, the Federal Government has firmly rejected accusations of a targeted campaign against Christians, claiming that the country’s security issues are complicated and involve banditry, insurgency, and communal violence, instead of being driven by systemic religious persecution.
This dispute is putting pressure on Nigeria’s security situation and its global image, as well as straining its relationship with the United States, which is demanding a stronger response to the violence while Nigeria tries to manage the external pressure.
