US Congressman Asks Trump To Take 'Forceful Action' To Protect Christians In Nigeria, Claims Tinubu Govt Not Proactive

A United States Congressman, Riley M. Moore, has again called on the administration of US President Donald Trump to take what he described as “forceful action” to protect Christians in Nigeria, alleging that they are being targeted in violent attacks in the country’s Middle Belt region. Moore made the remarks while reacting to recent killings in Plateau State, where he claimed Christians were attacked during a mass burial ceremony for victims of earlier violence. In a series of strongly worded statements, the US lawmaker accused Nigerian authorities of failing to act on intelligence warnings and of not doing enough to stop repeated attacks. “Now, I am asking the Trump Administration to take forceful action to defend our innocent brothers and sisters in Christ,” Moore said. He compared Nigeria’s alleged response to cross-border security operations with what he described as inaction at home. “When I visited Nigeria, the government responded swiftly to quell a coup in Benin. Nigeria's willingness to step in to stop a violent attack in another country, while they stand by as their own Christian citizens are brutalised makes these absolutely horrific scenes unfolding in Plateau State all the more unconscionable.” Moore further alleged that Christians gathered for a burial were killed by what he described as “radical Islamic terrorists,” insisting that the Nigerian government had the capacity to prevent such attacks but failed to do so. “Christians — who were gathered for a mass burial for those killed in a previous attack — were viciously murdered by radical Islamic terrorists,” he said. “Now, I am asking the Trump Administration to take forceful action to defend our innocent brothers and sisters in Christ” https://t.co/qoTB8R9eL4 pic.twitter.com/Msjiq6vKPz — Rep. Riley M. Moore (@RepRileyMoore) May 16, 2026 “Now, I am asking the Trump Administration to take forceful action to defend our innocent brothers and sisters in Christ” https://t.co/qoTB8R9eL4 pic.twitter.com/Msjiq6vKPz — Rep. Riley M. Moore (@RepRileyMoore) May 16, 2026 “The Nigerian Government could root out the terrorism and stop the martyrdom of its own citizens. But, despite receiving early warnings of impending attacks, they are nowhere to be found as Christians are murdered for their faith, like lambs led to slaughter.” He escalated his rhetoric by describing the situation as a “Christian genocide” and called for increased US involvement in Nigeria’s security response. “Enough is enough,” he declared. Moore also referenced recent US policy positioning, saying he welcomed Washington’s classification of Nigeria under its counterterrorism framework but insisted that more aggressive steps should follow. “I am grateful the Trump Administration specifically identified protecting Christians in Nigeria in the administration's new Counterterrorism Strategy. Now, I am asking the Trump Administration to take forceful action to defend our innocent brothers and sisters in Christ in the Middle Belt of Nigeria, the epicenter of an ongoing Christian genocide.” The comments come amid renewed international debate over insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in the northern and central regions where armed groups, bandits, and insurgents have carried out repeated attacks on rural communities. While some foreign politicians and advocacy groups argue that Christians are being systematically targeted, Nigerian authorities have consistently rejected the framing of the violence as religious persecution, insisting that the crisis is driven largely by terrorism, banditry, and communal clashes over land and resources. Moore had earlier raised similar concerns in a previous interview, where he accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christian communities and suggested that the United States could increase diplomatic and security pressure on Abuja if the situation does not improve. He also referenced alleged attacks claimed by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), warning that extremist groups were issuing threats to civilians to convert or face death. The renewed comments are expected to intensify diplomatic and political debate over Nigeria’s security crisis and Washington’s future role in counterterrorism cooperation in West Africa.