The United States House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs formally submitted a comprehensive report to the White House on Monday, detailing findings and recommendations on addressing the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The submission marks the culmination of months of bipartisan investigation into the growing concerns over religiously motivated violence in the country, particularly targeting Christian communities in regions plagued by insurgency, terrorism, and communal clashes.
The report is expected to serve as a guiding framework for US policy and bilateral engagement with Nigeria on security, human rights, and intercommunal stability.
The investigation was initiated following President Donald Trump’s decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) due to the alleged persecution of Christians. Under this designation, the United States government tasked Congressman Riley Moore, alongside Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, to lead a thorough and detailed investigation into the nature, scope, and drivers of violence against Christians in Nigeria, as well as the broader security challenges confronting the country. The designation underscored the Trump administration’s commitment to addressing religious persecution globally while enhancing diplomatic engagement with affected nations.
Congressman Riley Moore confirmed the submission of the report on his X handle, @RepRileyMoore, on Monday evening, highlighting the significance of the findings for both the United States and Nigeria. Moore’s announcement emphasized that the report consolidates insights from multiple sources, including direct engagement with victims, government officials, and experts, and represents a concrete step toward actionable recommendations aimed at mitigating religiously motivated violence. The submission underscores a proactive approach by Congress to ensure that US foreign policy is informed by first-hand assessments and rigorous investigation.
Prior to the report’s submission, Moore had led a bipartisan delegation on a fact-finding mission to Nigeria, which included visits to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Benue State, where communities have been severely affected by attacks attributed to extremist groups and armed militias.
During the mission, Moore engaged directly with victims of terrorism, listened to personal testimonies of displacement and loss, and assessed the immediate humanitarian needs of affected populations. The delegation also held meetings with Nigerian government officials, including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, to gain insight into federal efforts to curb violence and protect vulnerable communities.
The report’s findings are derived from a multi-layered investigative process. This included interviews with expert witnesses, hearings and roundtables in Washington, two on-the-ground congressional assessments in Nigeria, and sustained collaboration with the Trump administration.
By triangulating these sources of evidence, the US team sought to obtain a detailed and accurate understanding of the security landscape in Nigeria, the challenges facing Christian communities, and the effectiveness of government interventions in preventing further violence. Moore emphasized that the depth and breadth of this investigation provide a robust foundation for subsequent policy recommendations.
According to Moore, the United States delegation now possesses a clear and comprehensive picture of the threats in Nigeria and the forms of persecution allegedly experienced by Christian communities. In a statement urging the Nigerian government to capitalize on the opportunity for stronger bilateral relations, he said, “Doing so is in the interest of both our great nations.
Together, we must address these pressing security challenges and bring an end to violence against Christians.” The statement reflects a dual focus on both humanitarian concerns and strategic partnership, emphasizing that collaborative efforts are essential to ensuring security and stability in Nigeria.
The report details a series of recommendations aimed at countering radical Islamic terrorism, promoting accountability, and ensuring the safety of vulnerable communities. Among the key recommendations is the establishment of a bilateral US–Nigeria security agreement specifically designed to protect Christian populations and dismantle jihadist networks. This proposal seeks to institutionalize cooperation between the two nations’ security apparatus, facilitating intelligence sharing, joint operations, and technical support to Nigerian forces operating in volatile regions.
In addition to security cooperation, the report advocates for the conditional withholding of certain US funds pending demonstrable action by the Nigerian government to curb violence against Christians. This measure is intended to incentivize accountability and ensure that federal resources are utilized in alignment with both humanitarian and governance objectives.
The report also recommends the implementation of targeted sanctions and visa restrictions against individuals and groups responsible for or complicit in religious persecution, signaling a willingness to use diplomatic and economic tools to influence change.
Another crucial component of the recommendations involves providing technical assistance to the Nigerian government to mitigate violence perpetrated by armed Fulani militias. The report emphasizes that specialized training, operational support, and advisory programs can enhance the capacity of local security forces to protect civilians and disrupt violent networks, while simultaneously building trust between communities and government institutions. In parallel, the report calls for legislative reforms, including the repeal of Sharia and blasphemy laws, which are viewed as contributing to discriminatory practices and enabling targeted persecution.
The report further suggests that the United States engage in multilateral efforts with international partners such as France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom to strengthen Nigeria’s security infrastructure and promote broader regional stability. By leveraging collective diplomatic influence, intelligence resources, and technical expertise, the report proposes a coordinated strategy to address both domestic and transnational threats, while ensuring the protection of religious minorities and adherence to international human rights standards.
Describing the process of compiling the report, Moore said, “Today, Congressman Riley M. Moore joined members of the House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs at the White House to formally present the comprehensive report outlining concrete actions to end the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and counter growing extremist violence in the region. This report is the result of months of investigation, including a bipartisan congressional fact-finding trip to Nigeria, hearings with expert witnesses, consultations with religious leaders, meetings with Internally Displaced Persons, and engagement with senior Nigerian government officials.” The statement underscores the deliberate and methodical approach undertaken by Congress to ensure a credible and evidence-based set of recommendations.
Moore expressed gratitude to President Trump for his role in redesignating Nigeria as a CPC and for the administration’s commitment to addressing the plight of persecuted Christians. He stated, “Since President Trump redesignated Nigeria as a CPC and tasked me to lead a congressional investigation, I have worked diligently with my colleagues to produce the report we presented today. I also want to thank House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, Vice Chair Mario Diaz-Balart, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast and Congressman Chris Smith for their leadership on this comprehensive investigation and for delivering this report to the White House. I travelled on a bipartisan delegation to Nigeria and saw with my own eyes the horrific atrocities Christians face and the instability the Nigerian government must combat.”
The bipartisan nature of the investigation, involving both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, reflects an unusual degree of political alignment on foreign policy related to religious freedom and security in Nigeria. By combining congressional oversight with diplomatic engagement, the report seeks to ensure that any policy decisions taken by the executive branch are informed by first-hand evidence and address both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term security challenges.
In addition to proposing direct interventions, the report emphasizes the importance of ongoing dialogue between the United States and Nigeria, encouraging sustained engagement at both executive and legislative levels. Moore noted that constructive collaboration is essential to achieving meaningful reforms and ensuring that US assistance effectively supports the protection of vulnerable populations. The report stresses that coordinated action can reduce both the immediate risk to communities and the structural conditions that allow violent extremism to flourish.
The recommendations also include robust accountability measures aimed at ensuring that Nigerian officials at all levels take tangible steps to prevent and respond to violence against Christians. By linking assistance and cooperation to measurable outcomes, the report seeks to reinforce the principle that state responsibility is integral to protecting citizens and maintaining credibility with international partners.
Moore’s engagement in Nigeria allowed him to observe the direct impact of terrorist attacks on communities and the challenges facing local authorities. He highlighted the experiences of displaced families, noting that many individuals have lost homes, livelihoods, and access to basic services, which exacerbates social tensions and heightens vulnerability to further attacks. These insights were integral to shaping the report’s recommendations and reinforcing the urgency of bilateral action.
The report’s emphasis on repealing discriminatory laws reflects a broader concern with ensuring equal protection under Nigerian law. By advocating for the removal of Sharia and blasphemy statutes that are perceived to enable persecution, the report aims to address systemic legal frameworks that contribute to religiously motivated violence, thereby supporting long-term social cohesion and human rights compliance.
The engagement of international partners, as suggested in the report, is intended to enhance Nigeria’s capacity to respond to extremism while sharing the burden of implementation. Multilateral cooperation is framed as essential to dismantling terrorist networks, providing technical support, and reinforcing norms of religious tolerance and protection of minorities.
By presenting the report directly to the White House, Moore and congressional colleagues seek to ensure that the executive branch acts on the findings promptly. The report, which consolidates field observations, expert testimony, and legislative insight, serves as both a policy blueprint and a diplomatic signal to the Nigerian government regarding US expectations and the importance of protecting religious freedom.