US Congressman to Brief Donald Trump on Alleged Christian Genocide in Nigeria After Fact-Finding Mission
A senior United States lawmaker has pledged to update former President Donald Trump on his findings from a recent fact-finding visit to Nigeria, where he described the violence against Christian communities as tantamount to genocide.
Republican Congressman Riley Moore, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, returned this week from a multi-day visit to Benue State and other parts of Nigeria, where he met with internally displaced persons (IDPs), local religious leaders, traditional rulers and survivors of attacks. Moore said the stories he heard during the trip were “heartbreaking” and among the most distressing of his public career.
During engagements in Benue, Moore spoke with clergy including Bishops Wilfred Anagbe and Isaac Dugu as well as the Tor Tiv, a prominent traditional ruler, to assess firsthand the security situation facing Christian communities. Survivors recounted harrowing accounts of violence, including instances in which family members were murdered in front of loved ones.
Moore characterized the attacks on Christian IDPs and their communities as being carried out regularly, leaving many displaced and living in constant fear. He said that camps housing displaced Christians were frequently targeted, and the scale of suffering left a deep impression on him.
“I’ve never seen anything like this. It will stay with me the rest of my life,” Moore said, stressing the need for international attention and coordinated intervention to stop the violence.
The lawmaker confirmed that he is preparing a detailed report for Donald Trump, outlining what he described as urgent steps for cooperation with the Nigerian government. The briefing will include recommendations on how the United States can work with Nigerian authorities to address the violence, protect vulnerable populations and confront ongoing extremist threats.
Moore’s comments come against the backdrop of heightened U.S. scrutiny over insecurity in Nigeria’s Middle Belt states, where violence between armed groups, including militant herders and armed bandits, has displaced thousands and resulted in significant loss of life. While the Nigerian government rejects the characterization of the conflict as religious genocide, the lawmaker’s mission and forthcoming report are expected to shape ongoing U.S. policy discussions on security and human rights in the region.