Congressman Riley Moore on Wednesday reiterated that the Nigerian government must implement urgent comprehensive measures to tackle what the White House has repeatedly described as an ongoing ‘Christian genocide’ in the West African country.
Mr Moore, who has been appointed by President Donald Trump to investigate the killings of Christians in Nigeria, renewed this call following Wednesday’s high level meeting in Washington with the delegation sent by President Bola Tinubu to engage with the Trump administration.
“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,” the lawmaker said in a statement after the meeting. “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.”
The meeting between the Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, came amid the threat made by Mr Trump to deploy military action to rescue Nigerian Christians should Mr Tinubu and his government fail to address the situation with urgency.
Mr Moore reassured the delegation that the Trump administration is ready to work together with Nigeria to tackle terrorism in the country, noting that Mr Tinubu has a chance to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
“We stand ready to work cooperatively with the Nigerians to help their nation combat the terrorism perpetrated by Boko Haram, ISWAP, and Fulani militants against their population, specifically Christians in the North-East and Middle Belt regions of Nigeria,” said Mr Moore. “The Nigerian government has the chance to strengthen and deepen its relationship with the United States.”
Speaking further, the lawmaker stated, “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. I urge the Nigerians to work with us in cooperation and coordination on this critical issue.”
Also part of the delegation were several security chiefs, including the inspector general of police Kayode Egbetokun, chief of defence intelligence EAP Undiendeye, chief of defence staff Olufemi Oluyede, attorney general of the federation Lateef Fagbemi, deputy foreign affairs minister Bianca Ojukwu, among others.
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