A United States lawmaker, Riley Moore, has warned that attempts to promote separatist agendas in Nigeria could worsen insecurity and expose Christians to greater danger across the country and the wider African continent.
Moore, in a statement via his official X (Formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, revealed that he conducted a fact-finding visit to Nigeria to better understand the situation of alleged Christian persecution.
According to him, the visit involved extensive engagements with Nigerian government officials, church leaders, humanitarian organisations and internally displaced persons (IDPs) across different parts of the country, particularly in the North and Middle Belt regions.
“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.
The lawmaker noted that calls for the division of Nigeria did not feature prominently in any of his discussions during the visit, stressing that such narratives could further endanger vulnerable communities.
“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 said.
Moore warned that a destabilised Nigeria would create opportunities for terrorist groups to thrive, thereby worsening the security situation and placing Christians at even greater risk.
“A destabilised Nigeria would embolden terrorists and make Christians less safe in Nigeria and across the continent,” he added.
He also highlighted recent security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States as a positive step towards addressing insecurity.
“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,” Moore said.
Reaffirming his commitment to supporting victims of terrorism, the lawmaker said he would continue to advocate for the safety of all Nigerians.
“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
