U.S. Congressman Reports Widespread Violence Against Christians in Nigeria, Criticizes Past Administration’s Response

U.S. Representative Riley Moore has detailed alarming accounts of mass killings, the destruction of churches, and widespread displacement in Nigeria, describing the situation as a severe crisis of religious persecution. Following a high-level congressional delegation to the region, Moore accused the former U.S. administration of failing to adequately address the violence, which he argues is being improperly minimized as mere climate-related or communal conflict.

Moore, a West Virginia Republican, participated in the fact-finding mission at the direction of President Donald Trump. Speaking in an interview, the congressman expressed frustration with the previous government’s decision to remove Nigeria from the U.S. State Department’s list of “Countries of Particular Concern”—a designation reserved for nations with significant records of religious freedom violations.

During his visit to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Nigeria’s Benue State, Moore recounted meeting survivors who had lost entire families to brutal attacks. He dismissed claims that the violence is primarily driven by farmer-herder tensions or environmental factors, arguing that such narratives ignore the targeted destruction of over 20,000 churches and the systematic nature of the assaults. According to Moore, militant groups linked to organizations such as ISIS are giving Christians ultimatums to convert, pay taxes, or face death.

The bipartisan delegation, which held meetings with Nigerian government officials in Abuja, reported that initial security commitments made by local authorities have yet to materialize. Moore noted that the lack of effective intervention has fueled growing concern and impatience among lawmakers in Washington.

In a report submitted to the White House, the delegation outlined several strategic recommendations to stabilize the region. These include:

Devolving police powers: Expanding the authority of state-level police to improve local security response.

Targeted sanctions: Imposing financial and travel restrictions on militant groups and entities linked to the violence.

Economic cooperation: Strengthening U.S.-Nigeria economic ties to bolster local stability.

Moore also raised concerns regarding foreign influence, specifically alleging that Chinese entities are exploiting Nigeria’s natural resources. He claimed that illicit mining and the bribery of local officials by foreign actors contribute to an environment of instability and weakened rule of law.

While emphasizing that all individuals affected by extremist violence deserve protection, Moore stated that the evidence points to a disproportionate targeting of Christian communities. The findings from the delegation have sparked renewed calls for the U.S. government to prioritize the issue of international religious freedom and to hold perpetrators of these attacks accountable.