A United States lawmaker, Congressman Riley Moore, has called on President Donald Trump to take what he described as “forceful action” in Nigeria over ongoing attacks on Christians in parts of the country.
Moore accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of failing to adequately respond to the killings, particularly in Plateau State and other parts of Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
The congressman made the remarks while reacting to reports and videos showing attacks allegedly carried out during a mass burial for victims of earlier violence in Plateau State. According to him, Christians gathered for the burial were attacked by armed men.
“When I visited Nigeria, the government responded swiftly to quell a coup in Benin,” Moore said, arguing that Nigerian authorities had shown the capacity to intervene elsewhere while insecurity persisted at home.
He further urged the Trump administration to defend Christians in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, which he described as the “epicentre” of an ongoing Christian genocide.
Moore was part of a U.S. congressional delegation that previously held hearings and briefings on alleged religious persecution and violence against Christians in Nigeria.
The latest comments add to growing concerns among some American conservative lawmakers and religious groups over insecurity and religious violence in Nigeria. In recent months, President Trump had also threatened possible military and diplomatic measures against Nigeria over allegations of Christian persecution.
However, the Nigerian government has consistently rejected claims that Christians are being systematically targeted for genocide. Officials have maintained that the country’s security challenges affect people of different religions and ethnic groups, insisting that terrorism, banditry, and communal clashes are broader national security issues rather than a campaign against Christians alone.
Presidential spokespersons Bayo Onanuga and Daniel Bwala had yet to officially respond to Moore’s latest remarks as of the time of filing this report.
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