Alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria: US Congress submits report to Trump, recommends sanctions
The United States House Committee on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs has officially submitted a report on the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria to the White House, outlining its findings and recommendations.
US President Donald Trump had in October 2025 designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, accusing the Nigerian Government of not taking drastic steps in stemming the alleged genocide against Christians in the country.
The Nigerian government had however denied the allegation, debunking any systematic persecution of Christians, noting instead that terrorist organizations in the country have been targeting Christians and Muslims alike.
Trump had threatened to place sanctions on Nigeria by stopping all aids and assistance to the country, as well as taking military action, if the government does not move fast in tackling terrorism and protecting Christians.
The disagreement has led to a close working relationship between both countries in terms of security, as the US–Nigeria Joint Working Group was recently formed to implement security agreements and tackle the growing concerns over terrorism, banditry, and targeted attacks on Christians in Nigeria.
Following Trump’s October re-designation of Nigeria, the US President had directed Congressman Riley Moore and Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Tom Cole, to launch investigation into Christian persecutions and other security challenges in Nigeria.
In an X post on Monday, Moore confirmed that the report of the investigation had been submitted to the White House.
In his investigation, Moore led a bipartisan congressional delegation on a fact-finding mission to Nigeria, paying visits to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Benue State, meeting with victims of terrorism, and holding talks with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and his team, amongst other inquiry processes and activities.
“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,” Moore said.
Urging the Nigerian government to strengthen its relationship with the United States by seizing the opportunity, he noted that the US team now has a clear understanding of the security threats in Nigeria and the alleged persecution facing Nigerian Christians.
Recommendations in the report include the establishment of a bilateral US–Nigeria security agreement, sanctions and visa restrictions for individual and groups responsibility for or complicit in religious persecution, technical support to the Nigerian government to eliminate violence from armed Fulani militias, repeal of Sharia and blasphemy laws, among others.
“Our brothers and sisters in Christ have suffered in silence for too long. The world is now watching, and I urge the Nigerian government to take the opportunity to deepen and strengthen its relationship with the United States,” Moore stated.
Below is the report:
