United States Congressman Riley Moore says he will submit a comprehensive report to President Donald Trump after leading a five-member congressional delegation to Nigeria to assess insecurity and claims of religious persecution.
Moore, a Republican lawmaker, revealed that the delegation visited several communities in Benue State, travelling in armoured vehicles due to heightened security concerns. During the trip, they met with victims of violence, Christian groups, clergy, and local leaders to gather first-hand information.
Speaking in an interview on Fox News, and later sharing highlights on X, Moore said the visit was aimed at documenting the experiences of communities affected by recurring attacks.
“This was a fact-finding mission. Benue is one of the most dangerous states in Nigeria. Many Christian communities there have suffered repeated violence, and we felt it was important to hear directly from them,” he said.
He added that the delegation interacted with several religious leaders, including Bishop Wilfred Anagbe and Protestant leaders, to understand the situation more clearly.
Report Commissioned by Trump
Moore disclosed that both he and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole were instructed by Trump to compile recommendations on how the US should respond.
“He’s asked us to prepare a report and get it to him before the end of the month,” Moore said.
Survivors Share Emotional Testimonies
During visits to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, Moore said many survivors shared deeply emotional and distressing stories about attacks on their communities.
He recounted meeting a woman who had lost her husband and several children during an attack, noting that she was still coping with the trauma while caring for a newborn delivered in the camp.
Another survivor, he said, also described losing close family members in an assault on her village. Moore described the stories as “heartbreaking” and said they underscored the scale of human suffering in affected regions.
Moore rejected arguments that the violence is solely driven by land disputes or economic issues, saying the accounts he heard suggest that some attacks specifically targeted Christian communities and religious sites.
“These communities are already displaced, yet some of the camps are still being attacked. Churches have been destroyed. The pattern we see is deeply concerning,” he said.
Meetings With NSA, Traditional Leaders, and Clergy
While in Abuja, Moore and his delegation met with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to discuss counter-terrorism efforts and regional security. Ribadu noted that the discussions built on earlier engagements held in Washington.
The delegation also met key religious and traditional leaders, including Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, Bishop Isaac Dugu, and the Tor Tiv V, James Ioruza.
Moore praised recent efforts by the Nigerian government, including the rescue of 100 abducted children in Niger State, calling the operation a positive sign of strengthened security responses under President Bola Tinubu.
He confirmed that the US State Department and Nigerian authorities have established a joint task force to address concerns about alleged religious persecution.
Visit Occurs Amid Diplomatic Tension
Moore’s visit comes at a sensitive time, as Nigeria continues to dispute its recent designation by the United States as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC)—a designation linked to violations of religious freedoms. The Federal Government has strongly rejected the label, insisting that it does not reflect the realities on ground.
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