Republican Rep. Riley Moore (WV-02), possibly Christianity’s greatest advocate in American government, just secured another major victory for Christians in Nigeria.
A Nigerian Christian facing execution was just pardoned thanks to the relentless effort of Moore, his office announced on Tuesday.
Congressman Moore Responds to the Release of Sunday Jackson, Notes Longstanding Calls for Clemency
— Rep. Riley M. Moore (@RepRileyMoore) December 23, 2025
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Riley M. Moore today praised the release of Sunday Jackson, a Nigerian farmer who was sentenced to death after killing a Fulani Islamic radical in…
Sunday Jackson, a Nigerian farmer and Christian, received the death sentence for killing a Fulani Islamic radical in self-defense after a confrontation at his home. After a months-long media and political campaign, Moore announced that Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri pardoned Jackson “in commemoration of Christmas and New Year celebrations.”
“Our Lord came to set the captives free, and now Sunday will be able to celebrate Christmas with his family,” Moore said in a statement. “Thanks be to God!”
“Sunday Jackson is free,” Moore said. “After more than a decade in prison serving a death sentence for defending himself, Sunday Jackson has been pardoned. Sunday is a Christian farmer who, like countless of other Christians in Nigeria, was brutally attacked by an Islamic radical. Sunday fought back in self-defense, killing his attacker.”
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Jackson was tending to his farm when the Fulani radical ushered a herd of animals onto Jackson’s land, according to the Christian Post. When Jackson confronted the man, he was attacked. Jackson was able to overpower his attacker and killed him.
Jackson’s case went to court in 2021, where he was sentenced to death. The Nigerian Supreme Court upheld the decision in March.
“There is much more to do, but I continue to see positive steps that my concerns and the concerns of President Trump are being taken seriously by the Nigerian government,” Moore’s statement continued.” “I want to thank President Tinubu for his administration’s willingness to engage in continued constructive discussions with the U.S. Government on establishing a strategic security framework between our two countries to tackle the multifaceted security challenges facing Nigeria. The Nigerian government at the Federal and State level must ensure Sunday’s safety during and following his release.”
The security framework Moore described may have been utilized just days after Jackson’s release.
On Christmas, President Trump announced successful launched strikes against ISIS assets in northern Nigeria. The Nigerian government, after denying the genocide against Christians, reportedly coordinated with the U.S. military operation.
🚨 HOLY CRAP! After months of DENYING any targeted persecution or “genocide” against Christians, Nigeria’s government just flipped, FULLY COORDINATING with President Trump on last night’s devastating Christmas strikes obliterating radical Islamic ISIS terrorists slaughtering… pic.twitter.com/RqnHXh03J7
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) December 26, 2025
Jackson’s pardon is just the latest in the freshman congressman’s achievements in advocating for persecuted Christians worldwide.
After Moore’s urging, President Trump and the State Department redesignated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) reversing President Joe Biden's decision to strip the designation from the country in 2021. Moore was then tasked by the Trump administration with leading an investigation into the Nigerian Christian genocide.
Since then, Moore has been the leading voice in Congress for persecuted Christians internationally.
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