United States President Donald Trump has directed key lawmakers and the powerful House Appropriations Committee to launch a full investigation into the alleged persecution and mass killing of Christians in Nigeria.
The directive has triggered a joint congressional roundtable scheduled for Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
Rep. Riley Moore confirmed the development in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, saying Trump specifically instructed him and the Republican-led Appropriations Committee to probe what he described as “deadly persecution” targeting Nigerian Christians.
“President Trump asked me and @HouseAppropsGOP to investigate the persecution of Christians in Nigeria,” Moore wrote.
“As part of this investigation, the committee is hosting a roundtable to continue building on the work we’ve done so far.
We will never turn a blind eye to our brothers and sisters in Christ who suffer for their faith.”
In a separate announcement, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee said several senior lawmakers would spearhead the inquiry.
The panel disclosed that Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, Chair of the National Security and Department of State subcommittee, Rep. Robert Aderholt, Chair of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education subcommittee, and Rep. Riley Moore would lead Tuesday’s roundtable.
“@POTUS directed Appropriators to examine the deadly persecution of Christians in Nigeria,” the committee posted.
“Tomorrow, @MarioDB @Robert_Aderholt @RileyMooreWV will lead a joint roundtable with @HouseForeignGOP @FinancialCmte and expert witnesses to discuss protecting faith communities worldwide.”
Congress to Work With U.S. Religious Freedom Commission
A formal statement released by the Appropriations Committee, titled “Appropriations Committee to Lead Joint Briefing on Persecution of Nigerian Christians and Threats to Religious Freedom”, confirmed Trump’s directive and outlined the scope of the inquiry.
It noted that the briefing would involve the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and other experts, who are expected to present testimony on escalating violence, the alleged targeted killings, and the destruction of Christian communities in Nigeria.
“The roundtable will gather critical testimony to inform a comprehensive report directed by President Trump on the massacre of Nigerian Christians and the steps Congress can take to support the White House’s efforts to protect vulnerable faith communities worldwide,” the statement said.
Trump Earlier Designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern”.
In October 2025, Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over what he described as “genocide” against Christians.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” Trump posted on Truth Social at the time.
“Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter… The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening.”
He also disclosed that he had ordered Reps. Riley Moore, Tom Cole, and members of the Appropriations Committee to investigate and submit a detailed report to the White House.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has repeatedly warned about intensifying attacks on churches and Christian communities in parts of the country, especially in northern Nigeria.
CAN said many congregations had suffered “severe attacks, loss of life, and destruction of places of worship,” calling on the Nigerian government and security agencies to take urgent action.
Several U.S. Senators had also raised concerns, insisting that Christians in Nigeria were being “systematically targeted.”
Nigerian Government Rejects Allegations
However, the Nigerian government has consistently denied claims of religious persecution, insisting that insecurity in the country affects citizens of all faiths and is not directed at any specific religious group.
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