US Lawmaker Alleges Nigeria Failed To Protect Christians Despite Billions In Military Aid
Riley Moore, a United States congressman and head of the investigative committee set up by President Donald Trump to examine alleged attacks on Christians in Nigeria, has accused the Nigerian government of failing to justify the extensive military aid it has received from the United States.
In an interview on the Dinesh D’Souza programme, shared on Friday, Moore condemned what he described as an ongoing genocide against Christians in Nigeria, lamenting the global community’s lack of response.
“My brothers and sisters in Christ are being murdered simply for practising their faith,” he said, expressing frustration over years of inaction from both Nigerian authorities and the international community.
He warned that Nigeria’s failure to tackle the killings could have serious consequences, suggesting that the United States may eventually intervene if the situation worsens. “If we don’t take action and some terrorists gain a foothold in Nigeria, we will have to respond one way or another. Ideally, this should be done cooperatively with the Nigerians,” Moore stated.
The lawmaker criticised Nigeria for not prioritising the protection of Christians, despite receiving substantial U.S. security support, including funding, training, and equipment, over the years.
“There is enormous potential for partnership, and I hope Nigeria will work with the U.S. to address this issue. They have received billions of dollars in security assistance, yet the threat remains unaddressed, and protecting Christians has not been a priority,” Moore added.
He further noted that the violence has largely gone unnoticed internationally, continuing “under the radar” for far too long without significant intervention. “The mechanisms exist to respond, but nobody has paid attention. We must stand up for these values, not just for nation-building or democracy, but to protect Christians from being murdered,” he said.
Moore also confirmed that he would soon report his findings to President Trump. “Thank you, President Trump, for your leadership in defending persecuted Christians, especially in Nigeria. Your decisive actions will save thousands of lives. I am on it and will provide updates soon,” he wrote.
Earlier, Trump labelled Nigeria a “country of particular concern” due to the killings of Christians, warning that the U.S. could cut aid or even intervene militarily if the violence continues. He described the killings as perpetrated by radical Islamist groups and urged Congress to act swiftly.
“The United States cannot stand by while atrocities like these continue in Nigeria and elsewhere. We have the ability and the responsibility to defend Christians,” Trump stated.
The Nigerian government has rejected the allegations that the violence constitutes targeted genocide, noting that the constitution protects all religions and that security threats affect communities across religious lines.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
