US Congressman Riley Moore has opposed any move by the US Department of State to remove Nigeria from its Country of Particular Concern (CPC) designation.
Moore, a Republican representing West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District, spoke on Tuesday following the killing of at least 24 people in Plateau State.
The victims were reportedly killed when gunmen attacked the Bin-Per community in Ruff, Kombun District, Mangu Local Government Area, between Monday night and Tuesday morning.
Reacting to the attack, Moore said the incident showed why Nigeria should retain the CPC designation.
“This is exactly why the State Department cannot lift Nigeria’s CPC designation,” he said.
The lawmaker alleged that Christians were being attacked with impunity across parts of Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
He warned the US against repeating what he described as the mistake of the previous Biden administration.
Moore also cited recent US-Nigeria discussions on religious freedom, saying Washington remained committed to protecting Christian communities and holding governments accountable for safeguarding religious freedom.
“DO NOT remove the CPC designation for Nigeria. They have not done near enough to protect Christians! They continue to get slaughtered!!” Moore quoted Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker as saying.
Nigeria was first designated a CPC in 2020 during former President Donald Trump’s first administration.
The designation was removed in 2021 under President Joe Biden but restored by Trump in October 2025.
The latest controversy followed the Plateau attack, which also triggered protests by women from the affected community.
The protesters demanded stronger government action to protect residents from further attacks.
