US Representative Riley Moore has called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to take decisive action against what he describes as severe persecution of Christians in Nigeria, urging the designation of the West African nation as a Country of Particular Concern.
In a statement posted on X, Moore emphasized the gravity of the situation facing Nigerian Christians.
“Nigeria is the deadliest country in the world for Christians and the world stands by silently,” he wrote.
“That’s why I’m urging US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern to unlock diplomatic levers to protect our brothers and sisters in Christ.”
The congressman cited alarming statistics spanning more than a decade of violence.
“Since Boko Haram’s insurgency in 2009, more than 50,000 Christians have been murdered and more than 5 million have been displaced,” Moore stated, highlighting the devastating impact of militant extremism on Christian communities.
Moore also pointed to recent attacks that underscore the ongoing nature of the crisis. “Just this year, a priest was kidnapped and murdered on Ash Wednesday. 54 Christians were martyred on Palm Sunday,” he wrote, referencing violent incidents during significant Christian holy days.
The designation as a Country of Particular Concern, made by the US State Department, identifies nations that engage in or tolerate systematic violations of religious freedom.
Such designation can trigger diplomatic measures and potentially sanctions aimed at pressuring governments to improve protections for religious minorities.
Moore’s appeal comes amid growing international attention to religious persecution in Nigeria, where Christian communities, particularly in the country’s northern and central regions, have faced sustained violence from militant groups including Boko Haram and armed herders.Continue, Full, Reading>>>>
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