By DAYO ADESULU| November 10, 2025
Washington backs genocide probe amid rising Christian killings
United States Congressman Riley Moore has renewed claims of an ongoing Christian genocide in Nigeria, describing the West African nation as “the most dangerous place in the world to be a Christian.” His statement follows the U.S. government’s recent decision, under President Donald Trump, to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and to launch a congressional investigation into the violence.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Moore alleged that more than 50,000 to 100,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria since 2009, with at least 7,000 murdered in 2025 alone. That, he said, equates to 35 Christians killed every day.
> “Nigeria is the most dangerous place in the world to be a Christian. Fifty to one hundred thousand of our brothers and sisters in Christ have been martyred since 2009. Seven thousand have been murdered this year alone,” Moore wrote.
Moore thanked President Trump for what he called “decisive diplomatic action” and for appointing him to lead the congressional investigation.
> “Thank you, @POTUS, for designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern to end this bloodshed, and for tasking me to lead this investigation in the House,” he added.
Catholic media group backs genocide claims
Catholic Arena, a prominent faith-based media outlet, echoed Moore’s alarm in a series of posts on Monday. The platform described Nigeria as “infamous for religious persecution,” warning that faith-related killings there represent the majority of such violence globally.
Quoting the Open Doors 2025 World Watch List, the outlet reported that 3,100 Christians were murdered during the latest monitoring period, accounting for 69% of all faith-related killings worldwide.
> “Nigeria’s North and Middle Belt have become killing fields,” Catholic Arena wrote. “Groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) are enforcing strict Sharia law through terror.”
‘On a par with early church persecution’
The group cited a string of high-profile cases underscoring the brutality of the attacks — including the lynching of Deborah Samuel, a 19-year-old Christian student killed for alleged blasphemy in Sokoto; Fr. Isaac Achi, a Catholic priest burned alive in Niger State; and Seminarian Na’aman Danlami, executed by kidnappers who singled him out because of his faith.
> “Some of the violence in Nigeria is on a par with persecution in the early church,” Catholic Arena noted, accusing local authorities of indifference or complicity.
The report added that 12 northern Nigerian states enforce Sharia law, creating what it called “a climate of fear” for Christians and converts. It also highlighted that 2,830 Christians were kidnapped in the past year, while Leah Sharibu, abducted in 2018, remains in captivity after refusing to renounce her faith.
Nigerian government accused of negligence
Catholic Arena accused Abuja of failing to protect its citizens, saying, “The Nigerian government is at best useless at stopping these attacks or at worst complicit.” The outlet referenced former President Muhammadu Buhari’s controversial appearance at a public event just hours after a deadly Pentecost Sunday attack in 2022.
Analysts say Moore’s comments could reignite U.S.-Nigeria diplomatic tensions, which deepened after the Trump administration reinstated Nigeria’s “Country of Particular Concern” status last week. The move opens the door to sanctions and increased scrutiny over religious freedom violations.
With Trump’s endorsement and a congressional mandate, Moore’s investigation could mark a turning point in how Washington addresses Nigeria’s worsening sectarian violence — and how the Nigerian government responds to allegations of state failure.
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