“Christians Bear the Overwhelming Brunt of Nigeria’s Violence,” US Rep. Insists, Urges Trump to Act

A member of the US Congress, Riley Moore, has called for stronger American intervention in Nigeria over what he described as sustained attacks on Christian communities.

Moore said that while insecurity affects Nigerians of different faiths, Christians have faced disproportionate violence for more than 20 years. He alleged that they are significantly more likely to be killed than adherents of other religions, blaming much of the violence on Fulani militias and extremist groups.

He claimed that attackers frequently target churches, schools, clergy and worshippers, sometimes during religious observances, and that thousands have been killed in such incidents.

Moore urged Donald Trump to take decisive steps, arguing that the United States has an opportunity to reshape its relationship with Nigeria while addressing insecurity. He said Washington should use diplomatic and economic leverage to press for measurable improvements.

Although he acknowledged that Nigeria faces complex security challenges, Moore said the administration of Bola Tinubu*k must show greater resolve in protecting Christian communities. He called for increased funding for security operations, deployment of armed forces to vulnerable areas, and the introduction of early-warning systems to prevent attacks.

The lawmaker also proposed that any bilateral agreements between the two countries should be tied to specific conditions. These include joint funding of humanitarian programmes prioritising Christian communities in the Middle Belt, removal of armed groups from seized farmlands, and support for the safe return of displaced residents.

Moore further suggested sanctions and visa restrictions for individuals accused of participating in or enabling violence. He said the United States should deny entry to anyone linked to attacks on Christians.

In addition, he called for intensified efforts to disarm Fulani militias, which he alleged are responsible for a large share of attacks on Christian communities, alongside extremist organisations such as Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram.

Nigerian authorities have repeatedly stated that violence in the country stems from a mix of insurgency, banditry, and communal conflict, and have pledged ongoing security operations to address the crisis.