Our Reporter
A high-level meeting in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday has intensified international attention on Nigeria’s worsening security and religious-freedom crisis, as U.S. Congressman Riley Moore met with a senior Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Moore described the engagement as “frank, honest, and productive,” noting that discussions focused on the escalating persecution of Christians, terrorist activity across Nigeria, and the urgent need to protect vulnerable communities. The U.S. lawmaker publicly shared details of the meeting in a statement on X.
Nigeria’s Top Security Chiefs in Washington
The Nigerian delegation included prominent government and security officials:
- Bianca Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
- Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police
- Lateef Fagbemi, Attorney General of the Federation
- General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff
- Lt. Gen. E.A.P. Undiendeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence
The officials reportedly outlined Nigeria’s mounting security challenges—from mass abductions to the operations of extremist groups—and the pressures facing the country’s security agencies.
“Religious Violence Cannot Continue Unchecked” — Moore
In his statement, Moore expressed deep concern over what he described as “horrific violence and persecution Christians face,” insisting the U.S. expects “tangible steps” from Nigeria to safeguard threatened communities.
“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,” he wrote.
He reaffirmed America’s willingness to cooperate with Nigeria in tackling Boko Haram, ISWAP, and violent extremist networks operating in the Northeast and Middle Belt.
A Diplomatic Turning Point
With President Donald Trump’s administration moving to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) due to religious-freedom violations, Moore stressed that the U.S. Congress is “united and serious” about addressing the crisis.
The meeting came just hours before a high-profile congressional hearing scheduled for today by the House Subcommittee on Africa. Lawmakers will examine the state of religious persecution in Nigeria and evaluate U.S. policy responses, including sanctions, increased security assistance, and deeper diplomatic engagement.
The session will feature testimony from senior U.S. State Department officials as well as leading Nigerian religious figures.
Ongoing Security Flashpoints
Moore has in recent days criticized President Bola Tinubu’s assertions that Nigeria does not promote religious persecution, arguing that ongoing attacks contradict those claims. He also condemned the recent kidnapping of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the killing of their vice principal.
As of Wednesday night, officials in the Nigerian delegation—including Ribadu and Egbetokun—had yet to issue official statements regarding the Washington meeting.
Background: A Crisis Under International Watch
Nigeria has faced intensifying scrutiny from global human-rights bodies over persistent attacks on Christian communities, rampant kidnappings, and the activities of extremist groups. Violent incidents in the Northeast, Northwest, and Middle Belt have continued to raise alarms over the government’s ability to protect civilians and uphold religious freedom.
The U.S. hearing is expected to provide one of the most comprehensive evaluations yet of Nigeria’s religious-security landscape—and could shape future U.S. policy toward Africa’s most populous nation.