US Congressman Riley Moore has praised recent airstrikes in North West Nigeria as a crucial first step to addressing the security crisis and protecting Christian communities.
Speaking on Friday via his X account, Moore said the strikes, conducted in coordination with the Nigerian government, signalled a firm commitment to ending violence against Christians.
“President Trump has been clear that the killing of Christians in Nigeria must end. As I stated at the outset: Do not test President Trump‘s resolve in this matter,” Moore wrote.
The comments followed reports that US forces, under the direction of President Donald Trump, carried out targeted airstrikes against ISIS-linked terrorist elements in the region. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the operations were conducted with Nigeria’s cooperation.
“The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end. The Department of War is always ready… Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation,” Hegseth wrote.
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that the strikes were part of structured security and intelligence cooperation with international partners, aimed at combating terrorism and violent extremism while respecting Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Moore recently completed a fact-finding mission in Nigeria, investigating alleged attacks on Christian communities. Leading a five-member congressional delegation, he visited internally displaced persons, survivors of terrorist attacks, Christian leaders, and traditional rulers in Benue State. The team also met with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi.
On Fox News, Moore recounted harrowing stories from his visit, including a woman who lost five children during pregnancy and another who lost her husband, two daughters, and unborn child. He described these acts as deliberate attempts to target Christians.
“This is one of the most dangerous states in Nigeria. They are trying to erase Christians in Benue and across Nigeria from their ancestral homeland,” Moore said.
He confirmed that President Trump had assigned him and House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole to submit a report with recommendations by the end of the month, following Nigeria’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged Christian killings.