United States Congressman Rep. Riley has raised fresh concerns about rising religious violence in Nigeria, describing the country as “the most dangerous place in the world to be a Christian.”
Speaking during a congressional briefing on global religious freedom, Riley stated that between 50,000 and 100,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria since 2009, with over 7,000 deaths recorded in 2025 alone — an average of 35 killings per day.
“Fifty to a hundred thousand of our brothers and sisters in Christ have been martyred since 2009. Seven thousand have been murdered this year alone. That’s thirty-five Christians murdered every day,” the congressman lamented.
Riley urged the U.S. government and international community to take decisive action to address what he described as “a silent genocide” against Christians in Nigeria, calling for stronger diplomatic pressure and humanitarian support.
The lawmaker’s statement adds to a growing global debate over religious persecution and insecurity in Nigeria’s northern and Middle Belt regions, where attacks by extremist groups and armed militias have continued despite government counter-measures.