WASHINGTON, D.C – Congressman Riley M. Moore on Tuesday held a high-level meeting with a visiting delegation of senior Nigerian government officials led by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to discuss the ongoing persecution of Christians and the escalating threat of terrorism across Nigeria.
The engagement, held in Washington, D.C., was described as frank, honest, and productive, opening new channels for strengthened cooperation between both nations.
According to Congressman Moore’s office, Nigerian officials used the meeting to outline the country’s challenges in counterterrorism efforts, security assistance requirements, protection of vulnerable communities, and persistent violence affecting multiple regions.
The delegation highlighted ongoing threats from Boko Haram, ISWAP, bandit groups, and other violent actors destabilizing communities nationwide.
Congressman Moore emphasized that the United States remains willing to collaborate closely with Nigeria but stressed that Washington expects concrete action to halt the killings, displacement, and persecution of Christians.
He reaffirmed former President Donald Trump’s stance that the U.S. “will not tolerate continued violence against Christians or other forms of religious persecution,” noting that such warnings should be taken seriously.
The Congressman vowed to continue monitoring developments in Nigeria and urged the Nigerian government to embrace deeper security coordination with the United States to curb rising extremist violence.
In a formal statement issued after the meeting, Congressman Moore said:
“Today, I had a frank, honest, and productive discussion with senior members of the Nigerian government regarding the horrific violence and persecution Christians face and the ongoing threat terrorism poses across Nigeria. I made it crystal clear that the United States must see tangible steps to ensure that Christians are not subject to violence, persecution, displacement, and death simply for believing in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We stand ready to work cooperatively with the Nigerians to help their nation combat the terrorism perpetrated by Boko Haram, ISWAP, and Fulani militants against their population, specifically Christians in the Northeast and Middle Belt regions.
President Trump and Congress are united and serious in our resolve to end the violence and disrupt terrorist groups within Nigeria. I urge the Nigerians to work with us in cooperation and coordination on this critical issue.”
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Members of the Nigerian delegation included:
Mallam Nuhu Ribadu – National Security Adviser and Leader of the Delegation
Her Excellency, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu – Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
Mr. Kayode Egbetokun – Inspector General of Police
Chief Lateef Olasunkanmi 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 the NSA
Ambassador Ibrahim Babani – Director of Foreign Relations, ONSA
Ambassador Nuru Biu – Acting Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of Nigeria
Paul Alabi – Political and Economic Section, Embassy of Nigeria
As public reactions continue to trail the meeting, some groups insist that U.S. lawmakers must also hear directly from affected communities. “LET THEM SAY ALL THE LIES, WE ARE GOING TO MEET RILEY MOORE & HIS COMMITTEE AND TELL THEM THE HARD FACTS!” one reaction read, signaling that advocacy groups intend to present their own side of the story.
The visit is expected to shape future U.S.–Nigeria security cooperation discussions in the weeks ahead.