A member of the US Congress, Riley M. Moore, has called for sanctions and the repeal of blasphemy and Sharia laws in Nigeria as part of broader recommendations to address violence against Christian communities in the country.
The application comes after Nigeria was reclassified as a Country of Particular Concern by President Donald Trump.
Congressman Riley Moore and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole were then instructed by the president to conduct a thorough inquiry into the alleged terrorist persecution of Christian communities and Nigeria’s larger security issues.
Moore confirmed the presentation of the report in a post on his X handle, @RepRileyMoore, on Monday evening.
Moore led a congressional delegation from both parties on a fact-finding trip to Nigeria as part of the investigation. Under the direction of National Security Advisor Nuhu Ribadu, the delegation met with terrorist victims, toured internally displaced persons camps in Benue State, and had talks with representatives of the Nigerian government.
US Congressman Moore claims that the findings of the report were derived from months of research, which included meetings with internally displaced people, expert witness interviews, a hearing and roundtable session, two on-the-ground assessments carried out by bipartisan congressional delegations in Nigeria, discussions with religious leaders, and close cooperation with the Trump administration.
“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,” Moore said.
“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,” he added.
According to Moore, the US congress now has a comprehensive awareness of the Nigerian security challenges and the alleged persecution of Christians. He called on the Nigerian government to take advantage of the chance to improve and fortify ties with the United States.
Among the recommendations made in the report is the creation of a bilateral security agreement between the United States and Nigeria with the goal of safeguarding Christian communities that are at risk and dismantling jihadist networks. Additionally, until the Nigerian government takes decisive steps to stop violence against Christians, it suggests withholding some US funding.
Additional suggestions by the US congress include giving the Nigerian government technical assistance to halt the violence caused by armed Fulani militias and imposing sanctions and visa restrictions on anyone who commit or assist in religious persecution.
The paper also urges cooperation with foreign allies including France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom and demands for the abolition of blasphemy and Sharia legislation.
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