US Congressman Demands Nigeria Remain on Religious Blacklist After Fresh Plateau Attack

United States Congressman Riley Moore has urged the US Department of State to keep Nigeria on the Country of Particular Concern (CPC) list, pointing to ongoing violence against Christian communities in the country’s Middle Belt.

Moore, a Republican representative from West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District, made his stance public following a tragic attack in Mangu Local Government Area, Plateau State, where at least 24 people were killed.

Reacting to the incident on X (formerly Twitter), Moore emphasized that security challenges remain severe in central Nigeria.

“This is exactly why the State Department cannot lift Nigeria’s CPC designation,” Moore stated. “Christians are being slaughtered across the Middle Belt with impunity. There may be progress in the north, but nothing has changed in the Middle Belt where most attacks against Christians occur.”

A Call to Avoid Past Mistakes

Congressman Moore cautioned current US officials against reversing the designation, referring to decision-making during the Biden administration, which removed Nigeria from the CPC list in 2021 after it was initially designated in 2020 under former President Donald Trump.

President Trump later redesignated Nigeria as a CPC on October 31, 2025. Moore warned against stepping back from that position:

“We cannot make the same mistake the Biden Administration made. Biden removed the CPC designation from Nigeria after President Trump’s first term and all hell broke loose on Christians. We must stop the genocide.”

Details of the Mangu Attack

The latest call for international intervention comes right after an attack on the Bin-Per community in Ruff, located in the Kombun District of Mangu LGA, Plateau State.

• Casualties: At least 24 residents lost their lives, while several others suffered injuries and are currently undergoing medical treatment.

• Community Response: Victims were buried in a mass ceremony. In response, local women conducted a peaceful protest holding leaves, calling on security forces and government authorities to take immediate action to safeguard their communities.

Bilateral Discussions on Security

Moore’s statements coincided with diplomatic talks between Nigerian and US officials.

US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker, recently met with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in Washington during a session of the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group.

Hooker noted that Washington remains dedicated to identifying concrete measures to protect vulnerable religious communities and hold nations accountable for religious freedom.

Despite these assurances, Congressman Moore maintained that diplomatic talks are not enough without tangible security improvements on the ground, calling for the US to maintain firm pressure through the CPC listing.