US Lawmaker Says Christians in Nigeria Bear Brunt of Violence, Calls on Trump to Act

A member of the United States Congress, Riley Moore, has said that Christians in Nigeria have suffered disproportionately in the country’s prolonged cycle of violent attacks, urging former U.S. President Donald Trump to take decisive action and pursue stronger U.S.–Nigeria relations conditions to address the crisis.

Moore spoke publicly about what he described as escalating insecurity in Nigeria, asserting that while violence affects people of all faiths, Christian communities are uniquely targeted. “Violence and insecurity in Nigeria affects people of all faiths, but Christians bear the overwhelming brunt of the attacks and have suffered in silence for two decades,” he said, noting that Christians are “five times more likely to be killed than any other religious group.”

In his address, Moore alleged that Fulani militias and terrorist groups frequently attack villages, kill pastors and priests, and burn schools and churches, often on holy days. He claimed these groups have killed tens of thousands of Nigerians over many years and stressed that such patterns amount to persecution of Christians in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and northern regions.

Moore commended Trump’s global stance on defending persecuted Christians, calling it “a once-in-a-generation opportunity” to strengthen cooperation between the United States and Nigeria on security and humanitarian fronts. He said that heightened U.S. engagement could help counter ongoing violence while deepening bilateral ties.

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Although Moore acknowledged that the Bola Tinubu government needs support to tackle security challenges, he urged the Nigerian administration to demonstrate “political will” in protecting vulnerable communities. According to the lawmaker, future U.S.–Nigeria agreements should be contingent on measurable commitments by Abuja, including co-funding targeted humanitarian assistance, implementing early-warning systems for attacks, and deploying trained security forces to prevent violence.

Moore also urged authorities to remove armed Fulani militias from confiscated farmlands and enable displaced families to return home voluntarily. “But critically, all of this must be contingent upon the Nigerian government providing proof of progress that it is, in fact, working to stabilize the country and protect Christians,” he said.

The congressman went further to advocate for sanctions, visa restrictions and trade leverage against individuals believed to be involved in or complicit with violence against Christians. “America has a right to control who enters our country and when. We should certainly reject anyone who is attacking our brothers and sisters in Christ,” Moore said.

Moore also singled out armed herder violence, claiming that Fulani militias are “more responsible than any other group, including Boko Haram and ISWAP,” for attacks on Christian communities.

Moore’s remarks come amid growing concerns from faith-based organizations, human rights groups, and international observers, which have documented widespread violence affecting communities across Nigeria. These groups have reported mass killings, village raids, church burnings, and forced displacement, particularly in rural areas of central and northern Nigeria.

However, Nigerian officials have repeatedly stated that the country’s insecurity is driven by a complex mix of banditry, terrorism, and communal conflicts, and not primarily by religious persecution. Authorities maintain their commitment to protecting all citizens regardless of faith, and have deployed military operations, joint security task forces, and community policing efforts in affected regions.

Moore’s intervention is likely to fuel further debate in Washington over U.S. foreign policy toward Nigeria, especially as lawmakers consider new strategies for supporting peacebuilding, humanitarian relief, and conflict resolution in West Africa. The United States remains a key partner to Nigeria, and any shift in diplomatic conditions or sanctions policies could have wide-ranging implications for cooperation on security, development, and democratic governance.

US Lawmaker Says Christians in Nigeria Bear Brunt of Violence, Calls on Trump to Act