The House of Representatives has firmly rejected a narrative from the United States Senate describing Nigeria’s security crisis as a “genocide against Christians” or a case of “state-sponsored persecution.”

The move follows a statement by U.S. lawmaker Riley Moore, who urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to take diplomatic action over what he termed the “systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians” in Nigeria, calling the country the “deadliest place in the world” for followers of the faith.

In Moore’s October 6 statement, he also called for Nigeria’s redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and for the suspension of arms sales until Abuja demonstrates a “tangible commitment” to ending religious violence.

Presenting a motion on the floor of the House on Wednesday, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu described the U.S. report as a mischaracterisation of Nigeria’s complex security and religious landscape.

The motion, titled “Need for a Coordinated Diplomatic and Domestic Response to the Proposed Nigerian Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 (U.S. Senate Bill 2747),” was unanimously adopted by lawmakers.

 “The House rejects outrightly narratives that frame Nigeria’s security crisis as a singularly religious conflict or a state-sponsored persecution. Our Constitution guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion and bars the adoption of a state religion. Successive administrations, security agencies, and faith leaders have taken measures to protect all worshippers and prosecute offenders," Kalu said during plenary, which aired on National Assembly TV.

He explained that U.S. Senate Bill 2747, introduced on September 9, 2025, seeks to compel the U.S. Secretary of State to designate Nigeria as a CPC and impose sanctions on Nigerian officials under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.

Kalu warned that such measures, based on “incomplete or decontextualised assessments,” could misrepresent facts, strain diplomatic relations, and embolden violent actors.

“Insecurity in Nigeria is complex and multi-causal, driven by insurgency, criminal banditry, farmer-herder conflicts, separatist violence, and communal disputes that affect citizens of all faiths.

International reports attribute most fatalities to terrorist groups and criminal gangs, not to state policy or any single religious dynamic," he said.

Kalu emphasised that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of violence, stressing Nigeria’s commitment to protecting religious freedom and human rights.

“We condemn all forms of violence and persecution on the basis of religion or belief and commiserate with all victims, irrespective of faith,” he said.

While reaffirming Nigeria’s long-standing partnership with the United States, the House stressed that the country’s sovereignty must be respected.

“We are mindful of our partnership with the U.S. on counterterrorism, human rights, and interfaith dialogue. However, external legislative actions that misrepresent our situation risk undermining that partnership," Kalu stated.

To this end, the House directed its Committees on Foreign Affairs, National Security and Intelligence, Information, and National Orientation to, within 21 days, coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Embassy in Washington D.C., and relevant security agencies to file a formal diplomatic protest against the sponsors of the U.S. resolution.

Lawmakers also called for the establishment of a joint Nigeria–U.S. fact-finding mechanism on religious freedom, involving faith leaders and independent experts, and invited the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) to appear before the House.

Furthermore, the House directed the National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria Police Force, and Department of State Services (DSS) to, within 30 days, submit a comprehensive report on religion-linked violence and prosecutions since 2023, to demonstrate that no state-sponsored persecution exists.

The resolution is to be transmitted to the Presidency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, U.S. Congress, State Department, African Union (AU), and ECOWAS.