US Senators Applaud Trump’s Nigeria CPC Designation Amid Christian Persecution Claims

Texas Senator Ted Cruz and U.S. Congressman Riley Moore have praised President Donald Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” (CPC), a move aimed at addressing the escalating persecution and mass killings of Christians in the country. Trump, posting on his Truth Social platform, declared that Christianity in Nigeria faces an “existential threat” with thousands of Christians reportedly killed by radical Islamists. Both Cruz and Moore highlighted the urgency of confronting this crisis, emphasizing the need for accountability from Nigerian officials and stronger diplomatic measures, including sanctions.

Senator Cruz applauded Trump’s decision as a decisive step, reflecting his own long-standing advocacy and recent introduction of legislation—the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025. This bill targets officials facilitating Islamist jihadist violence and calls for sanctions on those enforcing blasphemy and sharia laws. Cruz described the designation as crucial for changing Nigerian officials’ behavior and holding them accountable for enabling attacks on Christians.

Similarly, Congressman Riley Moore, who has actively urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to take stronger action, called Nigeria the deadliest place in the world for Christians. Citing reports of over 7,000 Christian deaths in 2025 alone and thousands of churches attacked or destroyed since 2009, Moore lamented that corrupt elements within the Nigerian government may be complicit. He stressed that Nigeria is the base for multiple Islamic terror groups linked to ISIS and criticized the reversal of Nigeria’s CPC designation by the Biden administration as a mistake. Moore advocates halting military support until Nigeria demonstrates tangible commitment to ending violence against religious minorities.

ADVERTISEMENT

In contrast, the Nigerian government, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has strongly rejected the claims. Idris described these allegations as misleading, based on inaccurate data, and not reflective of Nigeria’s complex security landscape. He contended that violence affects both Christians and Muslims, especially in northern Nigeria, and warned that such narratives risk fueling religious tension and animosity. Nigerian officials and lawmakers have also rebuked the U.S. legislators’ accusations as mischaracterizations aimed at damaging Nigeria’s image.

The designation of Nigeria as a CPC by the U.S. government is grounded in the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act and signals a diplomatic effort to combat severe violations of religious freedom. The CPC status encourages imposing measures such as sanctions and restrictions on military sales to hold offending governments accountable. This step thus represents a heightened international focus on Nigeria’s religious violence and the controversial intersection of terrorism, insurgency, and religious persecution.