While in Benue, U.S. lawmaker Riley Moore met with dozens of Christians who had been forced from their homes and subjected to horrific violence, now living in IDP camps.
The United States government has pledged to take action to protect religious freedom in Nigeria.
The stance was highlighted on Wednesday by the House Committee on Appropriations through its official X handle, commenting on a post by Congressman Riley Moore, who visited Benue State to meet Christians in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp affected by horrific violence.
While in Benue, U.S. lawmaker Riley Moore met with dozens of Christians who had been forced from their homes and subjected to horrific violence, now living in IDP camps.
He described their accounts as harrowing experiences that will stay with him for the rest of his life.
"One woman was forced to watch as they killed her husband and five children. She, and her unborn child, barely escaped. Another woman’s family was murdered in front of her and her baby was ripped from her womb," Moore wrote on X.
"One man’s family was hacked to death in front of his eyes and his armed was permanently mangled. There are more than 600,000 Christians in IDP camps in Benue State alone. "
"These Christians should be able to live in their ancestral homeland without fear of genocidal Fulani," he added.
Responding to his post on Wednesday, the United States House Committee on Appropriations wrote on its official X handle, "America will not look away as innocent lives are stolen. Directed by @POTUS, Appropriators led an on-the-ground mission to inform a report on Christian persecution in Nigeria and guide policy recommendations.
“Religious freedom and atrocity response are central to our NSRP bill."
On Monday, SaharaReporters reported that Congressman Moore expressed renewed concerns over Nigeria’s worsening security situation, cautioning that significant efforts were still needed to curb terrorism and deadly attacks, particularly in the North-East and Middle Belt.
In a statement posted on X, Moore said he met with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, where they discussed the escalating wave of terrorism and ongoing killings.
America will not look away as innocent lives are stolen. Directed by @POTUS, Appropriators led an on-the-ground mission to inform a report on Christian persecution in Nigeria and guide policy recommendations. Religious freedom and atrocity response are central to our NSRP bill. https://t.co/EbjQPSrDqs
— House Appropriations (@HouseAppropsGOP) December 10, 2025
He noted that the security challenges are a pressing concern for both U.S. President Donald Trump and himself.
According to Moore, the delegation engaged Nigerian officials on specific measures that, if fully implemented, could help stabilise the country.
“There were concrete steps and actions discussed at length, that if fully executed, I believe will enhance security across the country for all Nigerians, disrupt and destroy terrorist organisations in the northeast and stop the killing of Christians (a specific concern for @POTUS and me) – particularly in the Middle Belt of the country,” he wrote.
While acknowledging initial progress, Moore maintained that Nigeria’s security challenges remain far from resolved.
"There is much work still to be done, but things are moving in the right direction. I look forward to the next steps with the Nigerian government and the continued open dialogue," he added.
He ended his message with a blessing to Nigerians, saying, “Peace be with you all. God bless the great people of Nigeria."