Rep. Riley Moore, R-West Virginia, has urged the White House to issue targeted sanctions and visa restrictions against religious freedom violators in Nigeria and withhold U.S. funding.
Moore announced in a Feb. 23 social media post that he delivered a set of policy recommendations to the White House after completing a congressional investigation President Donald Trump requested in October 2025.
In addition to sanctions and financial pressure, the two-page report calls for the U.S. to form a bilateral security agreement, “to protect vulnerable Christian communities from violent persecution, eliminate jihadist terror activity in the region, further economic cooperation, and counter adversaries in the region, including the Chinese Communist Party and Russian Federation.”
“I want to thank President Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a country of particular concern and for his administration’s commitment to protecting our brothers and sisters in Christ from persecution and addressing the broader security challenges plaguing Nigeria,” he said. “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.”
Moore said the recommendations in the report are based on findings made during his trip to Nigeria in December 2025, which included meetings with internally displaced people, religious leaders, and government officials, as well as congressional hearings and expert witnesses.
The bilateral agreement would include the co-funding of humanitarian assistance in the region, including through faith-based organizations, to aid internally displaced people. It also mandates the establishment of increased security measures, especially throughout the Middle Belt region.
The report contained several measures to counteract Fulani militant violence against Christian farming communities, including the implementation of “a demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration program to address illicit weapons and support safer communities while allowing farmers to engage in legitimate self-defense.” It also called for the Nigerian government to return land stolen by Fulani militants to Christian farming communities and to facilitate their safe return.
The report further calls for the White House to demand the repeal of Sharia and blasphemy laws in Nigeria, and for collaboration with international partners such as France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom.
“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 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.”
Moore’s office had said the report was expected a month ago.
