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US Congressman Riley Moore Introduces Resolution on Christian Persecution in Nigeria

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Washington, D.C. (Planet Akinadé) – On November 7, 2025, U.S. Rep. Riley Moore (R-W.Va.) introduced a congressional resolution condemning the systematic persecution of Christians in Nigeria and supporting President Trump’s redesignation of the country as a Country of Particular Concern for religious freedom violations. Rep Moore’s resolution, which is co-sponsored by 20 colleagues, calls for U.S. sanctions, visa restrictions, and aid conditions to urge Nigeria to prosecute attackers and protect minorities, amid reports of over 5,000 Christian deaths in 2024 and rising figures in 2025.

A press release, dated October 6, 2025, by Rep Moore said he sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling on the United States to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act, a status that triggers heightened scrutiny of religious‐freedom violations and may lead to sanctions.

According to the press release, Moore’s letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, mentioned that over 7,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria so far in 2025, an average of about 35 per day, while about 19,100 churches have reportedly been attacked or destroyed since 2009. The congressman noted that President Trump had previously designated Nigerian as a CPC but that designation was reversed by the Biden-led administration.

ALSO READ: Hegseth Orders Pentagon Staff to Seek Approval Before Communicating with US Congress

In his floor remarks, Moore stated that more Christians are being killed in Nigeria than in any other country combined, and he called Nigeria “the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian”. Moore urged suspension of U.S. arms sales and technical advice to Nigeria unless the Nigerian government takes credible action to protect Christian communities. His remarks also noted that militant groups such as Boko Haram, ISIS‐West Africa (ISWAP) and Fulani‐herder militias are major perpetrators and he alleged some complicity on the part of Nigerian officials.

Nigeria’s government has strongly rejected the allegations. The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs characterized Moore’s claims as “false and misleading” and affirmed that the government does not deliberately engage in the targeted persecution of Christians, emphasizing that both Christians and Muslims suffer from violence. Analysts warn that while violence in Nigeria is indeed severe, it is complex, driven by insurgency, communal conflict, land disputes and banditry, not only by religious persecution.

Following Rep Moore’s remarks, plus similar allegations of a “Christian genocide” and the persecution of Christians in Nigeria by Republican Senator Ted Cruz and some American celebrities, Trump declared Nigeria as a CPC.

A report by Punch, on October 31, said the U.S. president announced the redesignation in a post, which was shared on the White House’s official X account saying “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’.”

Trump stated that he wanted Congressman Riley Moore, together with Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee, to immediately look into the matter and report back to him.

Rep. Riley Moore’s resolution – which highlights attacks by Fulani militants and Boko Haram affiliates that have killed tens of thousands since 2009 – has received endorsement from advocacy groups, including global religious freedom organisation ADF International, of which, legal counsel Sean Nelson quoted Rep Moore’s statement in the following tweet on Friday, saying “For far too long, Christians in Nigeria have suffered, with thousands every year losing their lives for simply living out their faith. We applaud and proudly endorse this resolution from Representative Riley Moore as a major step forward in protecting human dignity and religious freedom in Nigeria. Now that the world is watching, there is no better time than now to help our Christian brothers and sisters and put an end to the persecution and horrific violence they have faced.”

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Sources:

Moore, R. (2025). Congressman Moore Urges Secretary of State to Designate Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” Amid Rampant Christian Persecution. https://rileymoore.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-moore-urges-secretary-state-designate-nigeria-country-particular-concern

Sahara Reporters (2025). US Congressman Riley Moore Insists On Nigeria Re-Designated As ‘Country of Particular Concern’ Over Killings In Christian Communities. https://saharareporters.com/2025/10/11/us-congressman-riley-moore-insists-nigeria-re-designated-country-particular-concern-over-killings-in-christian-communities

Sulaimon, A. (2025). UPDATED: Trump declares Nigeria ‘country of particular concern’ over Christian genocide claims. Punch. https://punchng-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/punchng.com/breaking-trump-declares-nigeria-country-of-particular-concern-over-christian-genocide-claims/

Hegseth Orders Pentagon Staff to Seek Approval Before Communicating with US Congress

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Washington, Oct 22 (Planet Akinadé) — In a move drawing both political scrutiny and institutional concern, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has issued a sweeping directive requiring nearly all Pentagon personnel to seek prior authorization before communicating with members of the U.S. Congress.

The new policy was first reported, on October 21, by global defense digital news platform Breaking Defense. The directive, outlined in an internal memo dated October 15 and co-signed by Deputy Secretary Steve Feinberg, states that all official communications, including briefings, phone calls, emails, or meetings, between Department of Defense (DoD) officials and lawmakers must first be cleared by the Pentagon’s Office of Legislative Affairs.

According to the memo, this change aims to “coordinate and align Department messaging when engaging with Congress to ensure consistency and support for the Department’s priorities to re-establish deterrence, rebuild our military, and revive the warrior ethos.”

ALSO READ: US Congressman Riley Moore Introduces Resolution on Christian Persecution in Nigeria

The new policy applies broadly to military service chiefs, combatant commanders, civilian leaders, and even members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — a group typically afforded wide latitude in engaging with congressional committees that oversee the military.

Critics argue the directive could significantly disrupt the flow of information between Congress and the armed forces, particularly during crises or budget deliberations. Several lawmakers from both parties have expressed alarm, calling the policy a potential threat to legislative oversight — a fundamental pillar of U.S. democratic governance.

“This memo is symptomatic of the paranoia that is emanating from the Defense Department,” said Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee. “We cannot carry out effective oversight if every conversation requires prior approval from a political appointee.”

While defending the move, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell called it a “pragmatic internal process” to ensure accuracy and alignment in communications with Congress. He stressed that the policy does not prevent Congress from obtaining information, but rather ensures that department officials present a “coherent and unified” message.

“This is about clarity and discipline, not secrecy or censorship,” Parnell said at a press briefing. “Congress still has full authority to request information and testimony, and the Department remains committed to transparency.”

Congressional committees are expected to call hearings to examine the implications of the new policy. However, Pentagon insiders report uncertainty about how strictly the rule will be enforced and whether exceptions will be made for sensitive or urgent matters.

Meanwhile, the directive stands as a powerful symbol of the Hegseth-led Pentagon’s desire for control and a flashpoint in the ongoing tug-of-war between military leadership and democratic accountability.

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Sources:

Finley, B. & Toropin, K. (2025). Hegseth changes policy on how Pentagon officials communicate with Congress. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/10/21/defense-department-pentagon-hegseth-congress/90711972-aef4-11f0-ab72-a5fffa9bf3eb_story.html

Insinna, V. & Hitchens, T. (2025). EXCLUSIVE: Pentagon clamps down on military interactions with Congress. Breaking Defense. https://breakingdefense.com/2025/10/pentagon-congress-restrictions-information-legislative-affairs-hegseth-feinberg-memo/

Reuters (2025). Pentagon tightens control on staff communication with US Congress. https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/pentagon-tightens-control-communicating-with-us-congress-2025-10-21/

Nigeria’s FG arraigns five suspects involved in St Francis Catholic Church Owo attack

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  • Defendants plead not guilty to terrorism charge.
  • Defence lawyer believes suspects “will be discharged and acquitted“.
  • Court adjourns until August 19 for trial.

The Federal Government of Nigeria, on Mon, August 11, arraigned five suspected terrorists allegedly involved in the June 5, 2022 massacre at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, in Ondo State. The government reportedly accused the suspects of allegedly belonging to a local cell of the Al Shabab terror group and carrying out the attack in furtherance of their religious ideology.

According to recent reports, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, were arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on their alleged involvement in the terror attack which claimed over 40 lives and left over 100 individuals injured.

The nine-count terrorism charge marked ‘FHC/ABJ/CR/301/2025’ reportedly included the following counts:

  1. That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar adults, males, with others still at large, sometime in 2021, did join and became members of AL Shabab Terrorist Group, with cell in Kogi State and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 25(1) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
  2. That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, adults, males, with others still at large, on 30th May, 2022; 37 June, 2022 and 4 June, 2022, at Government Secondary School, Ogamirana, Adavi LGA, Kogi State and behind Omialafa Central Mosque, Ose LGA, Ondo State, respectively, attended and held meetings, where you agreed to and planned for the terrorist attack, which you carried out on 5™ June, 2022, at St. Francs Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12(a) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
  3. That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, adults, males, with others still at large, on 05/06/2022, at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, with intent to further your religious ideology and while armed with IEDs and AK 47 rifles, did attack worshippers, held them hostage and in the process, caused grievous bodily harm to over 100 persons, including Onileke Ayodele, John Blessing, Nselu Esther and Ogungbade Peter and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24 Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 24(2)(a) of the same Act.
  4. That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, adults, males, with others still at large, on 05/06/2022, had in your possession IEDs and AK 47 rifles, with which you attacked worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church, held them hostage, killed over 40 persons and caused grievous bodily harm to over 100 persons and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 2(1)(2) and (3)(v) and punishable under Section 24(1) and (2) of TPPA, 2022.
  5. That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, adults, males, with others still at large, on 05/06/2022, at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, with intent to cause death, did detonate Improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which led to the death of over 40 persons, including: Ajanaku John; Onuoha Deborah; Onileke Esther and John Bosede and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 42 (a)(ii) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
  6. That you, Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris and Momoh Otuho Abubakar, adults, males, with others still at large, on 05/06/2022, at St. Francis Catholic Church , Owo, Ondo State, with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, did detonate Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) which caused grievous bodily harm to over 100 persons, including: Onuchukwu Happiness, Ogungbade Vivan and Nnakwe Paschaline Ugochinyerem and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 42(a)(i) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The defendants reportedly pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them by an official of the court. Defence lawyer Abdullahi Muhammad, prayed the court to order access to their families and lawyers, while prosecuting lawyer Calistus Eze urged the court to order that they be remanded in the custody of the DSS pending trial.

Justice Emeka Nwite, reportedly ordered that the accused be remanded in the custody of the DSS and that the defendants should be granted access to their families and lawyers. The court then adjourned until August 19 for the commencement of trial.

Meanwhile, the defence lawyer — while answering questions from the press at the end of the court session —stated that he believed that the defendants “will be discharged and acquitted”.

Sources:

Channels Television. DSS Arraigns Five Over Bombing Attack On Catholic Church in Owo. YouTube. https://youtube.com/watch?v=8_Ci958Z4XQ&si=MOyRfro5q8Wtcq30

The Conclave. FG arraigns five suspects on June 2022 attack on Owo Catholic Church. https://www.theconclaveng.com/fg-arraigns-five-suspects-on-june-2022-attack-on-owo-catholic-church

SYMFONI. Suspected Mass Shooters in Catholic Church ‘Owo Massacre’ May Be Acquitted — Defence Lawyer Vows. Youtube. https://youtube.com/watch?v=7-XvJjs0JsQ&si=wwsAJ5Qx7Syy9SS0