The escalating concerns over religious persecution and terrorism in Nigeria took center stage in Washington, D.C., as U.S. Congressman Riley M. Moore held a high-level meeting with a visiting delegation of senior Nigerian government officials led by National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The closed-door meeting, held on Capitol Hill, focused on what Congressman Moore described as the “horrific violence and persecution Christians face” across Nigeria, alongside the continuing threat posed by extremist groups such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, and armed militant networks operating in the Northeast and Middle Belt.
According to a release from Congressman Moore’s office, the U.S. legislator pressed the Nigerian delegation on the need for “tangible steps” to end attacks on Christian communities, insisting that the United States—under the direction and posture earlier set by former President Donald Trump—would not tolerate ongoing religious persecution or systemic violence.
Moore stressed that Washington stands ready to deepen strategic cooperation with Nigeria on counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, security reform, and protection of vulnerable communities, but emphasized that the Nigerian government must demonstrate stronger commitment and measurable progress.
President Trump’s administration, he noted, “made it abundantly clear” that the U.S. would respond firmly to any continued violence targeting Christians. “President Trump does not make idle threats,” Moore said, adding that he will continue to monitor the situation closely while urging Nigeria to “accept the open hand of cooperation.”
During the meeting, Nigerian officials outlined current security challenges, ranging from the fight against insurgency and banditry to issues surrounding security assistance, community protection, and recurring communal violence. The delegation also discussed opportunities for renewed collaboration with the United States to curb terrorist operations and stabilize affected regions.
The Congressman reaffirmed bipartisan U.S. support for Nigeria—provided the government demonstrates real commitment to halting killings, displacements, and attacks on Christian populations. He described the conversation as “frank, honest, and productive," while calling on Nigeria to restore security confidence both domestically and internationally.
The Nigerian delegation included:
- Mallam Nuhu Ribadu – National Security Adviser and Leader of Delegation
- H.E. Bianca Ojukwu – Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
- Mr. Kayode Egbetokun – Inspector General of Police
- Chief Lateef Fagbemi, SAN – Attorney General of the Federation
- General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede – Chief of Defence Staff
- Lt. Gen. E.A.P. Undiendeye – Chief of Defence Intelligence
- Ms. Idayat Hassan – Special Adviser to ONSA
- Amb. Ibrahim Babani – Director of Foreign Relations, ONSA
- Amb. Nuru Biu – Acting Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of Nigeria
- Paul Alabi – Political & Economic Section, Embassy of Nigeria
The meeting marks one of the most pointed diplomatic engagements between U.S. lawmakers and senior Nigerian officials in recent months, signaling heightened international scrutiny of Nigeria’s security situation and its handling of religious-related violence.