US lawmaker Riley Moore has cautioned that efforts to destabilise Nigeria or promote separatist agendas could significantly worsen insecurity, empower terrorist groups and expose Christians to greater danger across the country and Africa at large.
Moore issued the warning on Saturday via his official X (formerly Twitter) account following a fact-finding visit to Nigeria aimed at assessing claims of widespread Christian persecution.
US Lawmaker Assesses Christian Persecution in Nigeria
According to Moore, the visit allowed him to gain first-hand insight into the security challenges confronting Christians, particularly in Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt.
“I have travelled to Nigeria and engaged in multiple high-level meetings with Nigerian officials, the Church, aid groups across the country, and internally displaced persons, to get a better understanding of the rampant persecution of Christians in Nigeria,” he stated.
The US congressman explained that his engagements included discussions with government officials, church leaders, humanitarian organisations and displaced communities affected by ongoing violence.
Separatism Will Hurt Christians, Moore Warns
Moore dismissed calls for the division of Nigeria, stressing that such ideas did not feature prominently during his engagements in the country.
“In my discussions, the idea of dividing the country has not come up in any serious way. Efforts to embolden separatists hurt Christians in Nigeria — especially in the North and Middle Belt,” he said.
He warned that weakening Nigeria’s unity would only create opportunities for extremist groups to expand their influence.
“A destabilised Nigeria would embolden terrorists and make Christians less safe in Nigeria and across the continent,” Moore added.
US-Nigeria Security Cooperation Key to Tackling Terrorism
Highlighting recent diplomatic progress, Moore pointed to the newly signed US-Nigeria security cooperation agreement as a crucial step towards curbing violence and strengthening bilateral ties.
“The US and Nigeria have just entered into a security cooperation agreement, and that is an important step in tackling the violence in Nigeria and deepening and strengthening the bilateral relationship between our great nations,” he said.
Commitment to Protect Nigerians Affected by Terrorism
The lawmaker reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for victims of terrorism and insecurity in Nigeria, regardless of religious affiliation.
“I remain committed to working to save the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ — and for that matter, all Nigerians — suffering from the instability wrought by terrorists throughout Nigeria,” Moore said.
Meeting With Plateau Governor Focuses on Cooperation
During his visit, Moore met with Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, where discussions centred on deepening bilateral cooperation and addressing insecurity in the Middle Belt.
Moore described the meeting as “substantive and forward-looking,” noting its emphasis on collaboration between the United States and Nigeria to combat terrorism and protect vulnerable communities.
