“Tinubu’s Denial Completely False”: US Congressman Riley Moore Decries “Horrific” Genocide Against Christians in Nigeria, Pledges American Action
U.S. lawmakers launch investigation into alleged religious persecution, vow to deploy sanctions and possible military options as Trump insists America “will stop this.”
Washington – November 17, 2025
The growing global concern over the targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria retook centre stage after U.S. Congressman Riley Moore described the situation as a “horrific genocide,” insisting that the Nigerian government’s denial is “completely false.”
In an interview on Fox Television, Moore confirmed that former U.S. President Donald J. Trump has mandated him and fellow Congressman Tom Cole to lead an extensive investigation into the religious persecution and mass killings of Christians in Africa’s most populous nation.
“We’ve already started that investigation. It is being handled through the House Appropriations Committee, in coordination with the House Foreign Affairs Committee and other Congressional leadership,” Moore said.
“We are working closely with the State Department, the National Security Council, and the White House. We intend to get to the bottom of this as quickly as possible and present our findings to the president.”
“A Horrific Christian Genocide”
The lawmaker lamented the scale of reported atrocities, insisting that President Trump is committed to halting the killings.
“It is tragic what is happening in Nigeria. It is horrific. And as President Trump said, we will stop this,” Moore declared.
This comes amid global outrage over persistent attacks on Christians largely attributed to Boko Harama and Fulani terrorists.
Tinubu’s Response “Completely False,” Says Moore
The Nigerian government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has continued to deny accusations of state-enabled religious persecution. Tinubu recently stated that labeling Nigeria as religiously intolerant “does not reflect our national reality.”
But Congressman Moore rejected those claims outright, citing several examples of state-backed religious persecution.
“That statement is completely false,” he said, referencing blasphemy laws in several states which have led to death sentences against Christians accused of blasphemy.
He also cited a recent Supreme Court ruling sentencing a Christian man to death for defending his Christian village from Fulani terrorists.
“So no, there is serious persecution happening in Nigeria. President Tinubu is in a difficult position, but statements like this make his government complicit.”
Ratio of killings: “Five Christians to one Muslim”
Addressing claims that Muslims are equally targeted, Moore said that verified field reports show Christians suffer disproportionately:
“The deaths we have gathered on the ground reflect a ratio of five to one, five Christians for every one member of another religious minority.”
He added that Shia Muslims have also come under attack from “Sunni Salafist terrorists” across the country.
U.S. May Deploy Sanctions, Funding Restrictions, and Possible Military Action
Moore noted that Nigeria’s recent designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) allows the U.S. government to take significant punitive and strategic measures.
“This designation unlocks 15 different levers that the president can use. Sanctions are one. Restricting development funds and international financing is another. Every option is on the table, including military kinetic action.”
He emphasized America’s moral obligation to intervene:
“We are a Christian nation, and a nation that believes strongly in defending those who are persecuted.”
Chilling Numbers: Over 7,000 Christians killed in 2025 alone
According to data from the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, more than 7,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria in 2025, adding to an estimated:
- 125,009 Christians killed since 2009
- Over 19,000 churches burned or destroyed in the same period.
Trump: “Christianity faces an existential threat in Nigeria”
On October 31, Trump warned that “Christianity faces an existential threat in Nigeria. Something must be done. The United States cannot stand by while these atrocities continue.”
Nigerians React: “We are tired of government excuses”
Many Nigerians have praised Trump and the U.S. Congress for intervening where their own government has failed. Increasing voices accuse authorities of enabling impunity.
Former Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff retired military general, Gen. T.Y. Danjuma, has long warned of high-level complicity in terror attacks, saying “The Nigerian government is not neutral. They collude with terrorists,” and called for self defense despite the government arresting and condemning people who defend themselves against terrorists to death.
What’s next?
The world now awaits the outcome of the U.S. Congressional investigation and the actions Washington may ultimately take to halt the killings.
For millions of threatened Christian families across Nigeria’s North and Middle Belt regions, the terrorists have intensified killing of Christians since Donald Trump’s announcement.
To these Christians, the question remains painfully urgent: How long before the world acts decisively to end the bloodshed?
