US Congressman Riley M. Moore recently met with a senior Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to discuss the alarming rise in the persecution of Christians and the increasing threat of terrorism in Nigeria.
Describing the discussion as “frank, honest, and productive,” Moore emphasized the importance of counterterrorism efforts, security assistance, and the protection of vulnerable communities throughout Nigeria.
In a brief statement shared on X on Wednesday night, Moore revealed that the high-level meeting occurred in Washington, D.C. The Nigerian delegation included notable officials such as “Her Excellency Bianca Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police; Chief Lateef Olasunkami Fagbemi, SAN, Attorney General of the Federation; General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff; and Lt. Gen. EAP Undiendeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence, among others,” as noted in the release.
In his statement, Moore remarked, “Today, I had a frank, honest, and productive discussion with senior members of the Nigerian government regarding the horrific violence and persecution Christians face and the ongoing threat terrorism poses across Nigeria.” He stressed the urgent need for decisive action, warning that religious violence must not continue unchecked. “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,” he stated.
Moore also reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to assisting Nigeria in combating militant groups. “We stand ready to work cooperatively with the Nigerians to help their nation combat the terrorism perpetrated by Boko Haram, ISWAP, and Fulani militants against their population, specifically Christians in the Northeast and Middle Belt regions of Nigeria,” he added.
He urged the Nigerian government to take this opportunity to strengthen ties with the United States, stating, “The Nigerian government has the chance to strengthen and deepen its relationship with the United States. President Trump and Congress are united and serious in our resolve to end the violence against Christians and disrupt and destroy terrorist groups within Nigeria. I urge the Nigerians to work with us in cooperation and coordination on this critical issue.”
During the meeting, Nigerian officials shared the challenges they face in securing the nation, including civilian protection, combating terrorism, and coordinating with international partners. Moore emphasized that the U.S. will closely monitor developments and expects Nigeria to embrace offers of cooperation to halt the ongoing violence.
As reported by PUNCH Online on Wednesday night, neither Ribadu, Egbetokun, nor the foreign minister had issued an official statement regarding the meeting at the time of publication.
Earlier, on Sunday, Moore criticized President Bola Tinubu’s assertion that Nigeria does not promote religious persecution, insisting that the situation contradicts the President’s public claims. In a Tuesday post, he condemned the recent abduction of schoolgirls from Government Secondary School, Maga, in the Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, calling for prayers for the victims: “Please join me in praying for the 25 girls who have been kidnapped and for the repose of the soul of their vice principal, who was killed,” he wrote.
The meeting occurred just hours before a high-profile open hearing of the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, which would scrutinize President Trump’s recent decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern. Scheduled for 11:00 a.m. in Room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office Building, the hearing, also accessible via live webcast, will be presided over by Representative Chris Smith.
Lawmakers are expected to hear testimonies from two panels, which will include senior U.S. State Department officials and prominent Nigerian religious leaders. According to an invitation sent to members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and reviewed by The PUNCH, “You are respectfully requested to attend an open hearing of the Committee on Foreign Affairs to be held by the Subcommittee on Africa at 11:00 a.m. in Room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office Building.”
The document further indicated that the first panel will feature Jonathan Pratt, Senior Bureau Official of the Bureau of African Affairs, and Jacob McGee, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. A second panel is expected to include Ms. Nina Shea, Director of the Center for Religious Freedom; Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Makurdi Catholic Diocese; and Ms. Oge Onubogu of the Center for Strategic & International Studies.
The hearing is anticipated to provide a comprehensive examination of religious persecution in Nigeria and explore potential U.S. policy actions, including targeted sanctions, humanitarian support, and deeper cooperation with Nigerian authorities to address ongoing violence.
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