A fresh international spotlight has been turned on Nigeria’s worsening security crisis as United States Congressman, Rep. Riley Moore, insisted that Washington should not remove Nigeria from its Country of Particular Concern (CPC) designation over alleged persecution of Christians. Moore said the designation must remain in place as violence against Christian communities continues, particularly across parts of the Middle Belt. He also backed the US State Department’s call for the Nigerian government to take stronger measures to protect vulnerable communities and ensure that those responsible for attacks are brought to justice.
Moore made this remark following the latest deadly attack in Mangu area of Plateau State, where at least 24 people were reportedly killed while several others were missing. The US Bureau of African Affairs condemned the incident, describing the renewed violence as deeply troubling and urging the Nigerian government to fulfil its responsibility to protect citizens. The development has intensified calls in Washington for closer scrutiny of Nigeria’s security situation, especially as the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group continues to assess Abuja’s response to concerns surrounding religious freedom and the protection of civilians.
Meanwhile, the Christian Elders and Professionals Consultative Council of Nigeria (CEPCCN) backed the concerns raised by the US but stressed that every Nigerian life deserves equal protection, irrespective of religious affiliation. The council condemned attacks on Christians, Muslims and other vulnerable communities and called for stronger intelligence gathering, early-warning systems, rapid security response and prosecution of ex perpetrators. CEPCCN also urged the Federal Government to engage constructively with international partners, warning that Nigeria’s complex security challenges—including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence—require urgent, coordinated and citizen-centred action