Trump’s Bold Move: Designating Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ Over Christian Persecution

By Newsmax Wires | Monday, 03 November 2025 08:45 PM EST
Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., on Monday praised President Donald Trump for what he called “the Lord’s work” in addressing violence against Christians in Nigeria. Moore told “Rob Schmitt Tonight” that Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” marked a critical step in confronting radical Islamist violence that has killed tens of thousands of Christians.

Trump wrote Saturday on Truth Social: “If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities. I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action.”

Moore noted that Trump’s previous post designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” a move he had advocated for. He explained that this designation unlocks diplomatic tools for the president, including restricting assistance, sanctioning individuals, and limiting arms transfers.

In his post, Trump stated: “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN’ — But that is the least of it. When Christians, or any such group, is slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria [3,100 versus 4,476 Worldwide], something must be done!”

Moore cited over 7,000 Christian “martyrdoms” in Nigeria this year, calling the violence a continuation of persecution that has claimed between 50,000 and 100,000 lives since 2009. He condemned the killings as “murdered in cold blood” and praised Trump for “doing the Lord’s work here.”

The Biden administration removed Nigeria from its “particular concern” list in 2021 despite reports of church burnings and mass killings by extremist groups.