U.S. Congressman Riley M. Moore (R-WV) has announced plans to brief the White House soon on potential measures to safeguard Christians in Nigeria, who he says face severe persecution from Islamist extremists.
In a post on his X account on January 21, 2026, Moore responded to recent testimony by Bishop Robert Barron highlighting the alleged targeting of Christians in Nigeria.
Moore wrote: “Thank you, Bishop Barron, for shedding light on how our brothers and sisters in Christ are being persecuted for their faith in Nigeria. Thanks for the shout-out. You are right; I will be briefing the White House on this topic very soon to give them options on how to protect Christians in Nigeria.”
He further referenced the recently passed Fiscal Year 2026 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) bill, which he said upholds religious freedom, and noted that the House Appropriations Committee would soon deliver a report to President Donald Trump on the situation in Nigeria, including facts, oversight, and leadership recommendations.
Moore's statement follows his ongoing advocacy, including introducing a House resolution (H.Res.866) in November 2025 condemning the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and supporting Trump's earlier designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) due to religious freedom violations.
Trump had tasked Moore and others with investigating the issue and proposing actions.
The Nigerian Presidency, however, pushed back against framing the country's security challenges as religiously motivated. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Chieftaincy Matters, Abba Hashim, made the remarks during an engagement with Methodist Archbishop of Anambra, Dr. Vincent Onoh, as part of government efforts to promote peace and unity with religious leaders.
Hashim emphasized that insecurity affects people of all faiths and should not be portrayed as a religious war or genocide, warning that such narratives could deepen divisions.
“What’s important now in this country is togetherness. We should put everything aside between Muslims, Christians and even people who don’t have a religion. We should not go with the stories going around, which all of us know are false,” he said.
He added that violence in conflict-prone areas cuts across religious lines, urging focus on national cohesion rather than divisive claims.
The exchange highlights ongoing tensions over characterizations of violence in Nigeria, particularly in regions affected by militancy, kidnappings, and communal clashes.
Moore's planned briefing aligns with broader U.S. congressional scrutiny of religious freedom issues in the country, amid calls for diplomatic, economic, or other responses.
The matter remains under discussion, with the House Appropriations Committee's forthcoming report expected to influence potential U.S. policy options.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com