US-Based Benue Indigene Reveals Role in Lobbying Washington to Designate Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ Over Worsening Christian Killings

A United States–based indigene of Benue State has revealed how he and other diaspora Nigerians influenced Washington’s decision to classify Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), a label reserved for nations accused of severe violations of religious freedom.

In a viral video circulating online, the man recounted how the June 13–14, 2025 Yelwata massacre in Benue State which left over 200 Christian villagers dead and displaced an estimated 3,000 residents became the decisive moment that spurred their campaign for U.S. intervention. He described the carnage as a breaking point that convinced him the crisis could no longer be ignored by the international community.

He alleged that the Nigerian government had continually shielded those responsible for the wave of attacks, accusing top officials and traditional leaders from certain northern emirates of complicity in what he described as an orchestrated campaign of violence against Christians in the Middle Belt.

According to his account, the advocacy group he worked with filed a detailed petition to U.S. lawmakers, urging action against what they termed “state-enabled ethnic and religious cleansing.” He said the petition drew attention from a member of the U.S. Congress, leading to increased scrutiny of Nigeria’s internal security failures and the government’s perceived bias in handling religiously motivated killings.

The Benue native further claimed that the U.S. government is presently pursuing what he called “reactionary solutions” suggesting that the CPC designation was merely a preliminary diplomatic measure, with stronger sanctions and restrictions potentially on the table should the Nigerian government fail to address the situation.

His statements, however, stand in contrast to those of Presidential aides Daniel Bwala and Temitope Ajayi, who have publicly alleged that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were behind the renewed international narrative portraying Nigeria as hostile toward Christians.

The controversy underscores the growing diplomatic and political tension surrounding the U.S. designation, a move that has drawn both praise from human rights advocates and condemnation from Nigerian officials, who insist that the government remains committed to protecting all citizens regardless of faith or ethnicity.