Destabilising Nigeria Will Empower Terrorists — US Lawmaker

US lawmaker Riley Moore has warned that efforts to encourage separatist agendas in Nigeria could worsen insecurity and put Christians at greater risk across the country and the African continent.

In a statement shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Saturday, Moore disclosed that he recently conducted a fact-finding visit to Nigeria to better understand claims of Christian persecution.

The US lawmaker warned that any attempt to destabilise Nigeria could strengthen terrorist groups and further endanger Christians.

“A destabilised Nigeria would embolden terrorists and make Christians less safe in Nigeria and across the continent,” Moore said.

Speaking on the visit, he said he engaged Nigerian government officials, church leaders, humanitarian organisations, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) across the country to gain firsthand insight into the challenges facing Christians, particularly in the North and Middle Belt.

“I have travelled to Nigeria and engaged in multiple high-level meetings with Nigerian officials, the Church, aid groups across the country, and IDPs, to get a better understanding of the rampant persecution of Christians in Nigeria,” Moore said.

He noted that discussions about dividing Nigeria did not arise in any meaningful way during his engagements.

“In my discussions, the idea of dividing the country has not come up in any serious way. Efforts to embolden separatists hurt Christians in Nigeria — especially in the North and Middle Belt,” he added.

He also highlighted recent security cooperation between the United States and Nigeria as a crucial step towards addressing violence in the country.

“The US and Nigeria have just entered into a security cooperation agreement, and that is an important step in tackling the violence in Nigeria and deepening and strengthening the bilateral relationship between our great nations,” he said.

Moore concluded by reaffirming his commitment to supporting Nigerians affected by terrorism.

“I remain committed to working to save the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ — and for that matter, all Nigerians — suffering from the instability wrought by terrorists throughout Nigeria. God bless you all,” he stated.

LEADERSHIP recalls that Moore had earlier met with Plateau State governor, Caleb Mutfwang, where both leaders discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation.

Moore reaffirmed his resolve to work with the Nigerian government to address insecurity and the persecution of Christians, particularly in the Middle Belt, describing his discussion with the governor as “both substantive and forward-looking,” with a focus on strengthening cooperation between the two nations.