Amanze Chinonye
The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) has urged citizens to approach the United States government’s recent designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) with sobriety rather than political agitation, describing the development as a long-overdue reminder of the country’s worsening security and human rights crisis.
In a statement jointly signed by its President, Most Rev. Dr. David Onuoha, and General Secretary, Rt. Rev. Dr. Evans Onyemara, the CCN said the decision by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump should not be misconstrued as foreign interference or an invasion, but as “an answered prayer” for victims of prolonged violence across the country.
Under the U.S. International Religious Freedom Act, countries designated as CPCs are those accused of engaging in or tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom. The designation typically triggers diplomatic pressure, the possibility of sanctions, or targeted engagement intended to push governments to address documented abuses.
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In recent years, multiple international human rights groups including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom have raised concerns about persistent attacks by armed groups in northern and central Nigeria, rising communal violence, and inadequate state protection for vulnerable communities.
These broad trends align with global reporting on Nigeria’s insecurity but do not assign blame to any faith group exclusively.
The Council said debates about whether Christians are persecuted in Nigeria have become a political distraction that prevents authorities from responding decisively to the country’s multilevel security breakdown.
“Political, ethnic and religious divisions must be set aside so that all Nigerians can confront this crisis decisively,” the statement read.
“Instead of spinning conspiracy theories around the US warning, leaders should focus on collaborating with international partners to confront these enemies of humanity, whether local or foreign.”
The CCN warned that the persistent failure to stop widespread killings, kidnappings, banditry, and religiously-tinged hostilities reflects declining governance standards and a weakening national moral compass.
The Council urged Nigerians to pray for peace and justice, arguing that insecurity in Nigeria is not just a security issue but a moral and humanitarian one.
“Every life lost diminishes our humanity and offends the image of God,” it said.
The CCN said history would judge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu positively if he uses the moment to initiate decisive reforms that halt the cycles of violence affecting communities nationwide.
“Every right-thinking Nigerian should pray for him to have the wisdom and courage to act,” the statement added.
The U.S. CPC designation, according to global rights-monitoring frameworks, signals heightened international attention to Nigeria’s human rights and security situation. While it does not imply military intervention, it places diplomatic responsibility on the Nigerian government to demonstrate measurable improvements in protecting civilians and ensuring accountability for abuses.
