Christians in Nigeria continue to endure relentless persecution, yet international response remains minimal. The violence, often described as “Christian genocide,” has claimed thousands of lives, particularly in the central and northern regions where churches and entire communities have been attacked by Islamic extremists. Since President Bola Tinubu took office in 2023, more than 10,000 people have been killed, hundreds kidnapped, and over 3 million displaced. In just the first seven months of 2025, over 7,000 Christians—an average of 35 per day—have been martyred for their faith. These grim statistics prompted Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV) to urge Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reinstate Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), a classification President Biden revoked in 2021.

Moore and other members of Congress are demanding immediate diplomatic action to confront what he calls “the most dangerous place in the world for Christians.” He emphasized that the U.S. “cannot stand idly by while believers are slaughtered,” insisting that recognition of the religious nature of this crisis is crucial to stopping it. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) has introduced legislation to hold Nigerian officials accountable for enabling jihadist attacks, while public figures have called out the mainstream media for its silence. Advocates believe reinstating Nigeria’s CPC status would not only draw international attention but also pressure the Nigerian government to protect its Christian population—many of whom are displaced, starving, and living in fear.

SOURCE: ICC