NSA Ribadu, Others Meet US Lawmaker Moore Over Christians Genocide Claims In Nigeria

A Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, alongside Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Ojukwu, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun and Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, held a high-level meeting on Wednesday with US Congressman Riley M. Moore in Washington, D.C., to discuss the alleged persecution of Christians and widening terrorism threats in Nigeria.

The meeting, which also had in attendance Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Intelligence Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Undiendeye and other senior aides from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), was disclosed in a press release by Congressman Moore’s office.

Moore announced on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday that the meeting was a “frank, honest, and productive” discussion on the alleged persecution of Christians and the rising threat posed by terrorist groups across Nigeria.

According to him, the conversation focused on counterterrorism cooperation, security assistance and the protection of vulnerable communities in the North-East and Middle Belt regions. Nigerian officials, he said, shared their government’s concerns about persistent attacks, escalating violence and challenges in combating extremist groups.

Moore stressed that the United States was prepared to collaborate closely with Nigeria to halt Christian persecution and curb terrorism.

In his words, “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 Saviour Jesus Christ.”

He added that the US was willing to support Nigeria in confronting Boko Haram, ISWAP and armed Fulani militants, warning that Washington would not overlook continued violence against Christian communities.

“We stand ready to work cooperatively with the Nigerians to help their nation combat the terrorism perpetrated by Boko Haram, ISWAP, and Fulani militants… President Trump and Congress are united and serious in our resolve to end the violence against Christians and disrupt and destroy terrorist groups within Nigeria,” he added.

The Congressman affirmed that President Donald Trump’s stance on Christian persecution remained firm, noting, “President Trump does not make idle threats.”

He emphasised that the Nigerian government has an opportunity to strengthen ties with the United States if it embraces deeper cooperation.

Others members of the Nigerian delegation included the Special Adviser to the NSA, Idayat Hassan; Director of Foreign Relations at the ONSA, Ambassador Ibrahim Babani; Acting Chargé d’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in US, Ambassador Nuru Biu, and Paul Alabi of the Embassy’s Political and Economic Section.