Republican Representative Riley Moore is urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to take decisive action regarding the escalating violence against Christians in Nigeria. Citing the persecution and killings of Christians due to their faith, Moore is specifically requesting that Nigeria be redesignated as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). This designation, according to the International Religious Freedom Act, is reserved for nations with severe violations of religious freedom.
Moore’s call to action includes leveraging diplomatic tools and imposing restrictions on arms sales and technical support to Nigeria until its government demonstrates a tangible commitment to ending the violence. The urgency of Moore’s request is underscored by reports indicating that over 7,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria this year alone, with a staggering 125,000 deaths since 2009, according to Newsweek. The ongoing crisis has prompted increasing scrutiny of Nigeria’s human rights record and the government’s ability to protect its Christian population.