US Congressman Riley Moore has reiterated Washington’s firm stance on alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria, telling a visiting Nigerian delegation that the United States - under President Donald Trump - expects “tangible action” to protect vulnerable communities and curb extremist violence.
Moore made the remarks during a Wednesday meeting with a high-level team led by Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, which included senior security chiefs and top government officials. The delegation visited Washington to address growing concerns over global narratives portraying Nigeria as hostile to its Christian population.
Tensions escalated earlier this week when US rapper Nicki Minaj was invited to testify at the United Nations against Nigeria in a session from which Nigerian officials were excluded, a move Abuja criticised as “shaving our head in our absence.”
“I made it crystal clear that the United States must see tangible steps to ensure that Christians are not subject to violence, persecution, displacement, and death simply for believing in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Moore said, describing the discussion as “frank, honest, and productive.”
He emphasised that the US is ready to cooperate with Nigeria in combating Boko Haram, ISWAP, and armed Fulani groups responsible for attacks in the Northeast and Middle Belt. “President Trump does not make idle threats,” Moore warned. “The Nigerian government has the chance to deepen its relationship with the United States, but it must show seriousness in combating terrorism and protecting vulnerable communities.”
Moore said the Nigerian officials briefed him on counterterrorism challenges, security needs, and ongoing extremist violence, but stressed that cooperation must be accompanied by measurable results.
The delegation included Foreign Affairs Minister of State Bianca Ojukwu; Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun; Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi; Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Defence Intelligence Lt. Gen. EAP Undiendeye; and senior officials from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
As of Wednesday night, the Nigerian government had not issued any statement on the meeting.
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