A United States lawmaker has warned that the United States could take a direct role in addressing Nigeria’s worsening security crisis if the government does not act decisively to stem ongoing killings that have increasingly affected Christian communities.
Republican Congressman Riley Moore, speaking in an interview with Newsmax, said a report he submitted to the White House last month outlined “concrete actions” to address what he described as escalating violence against Christians.
He said the directive came after President Donald Trump asked him and Chairman Tom Cole to investigate the situation.
“This report that we presented to the White House was pursuant to the president asking myself and Chairman Tom Cole… to investigate this Christian persecution and what I’ve been calling a genocide in Nigeria,” Moore said. He added that he had witnessed the situation firsthand during a recent visit to the country.
Moore cited recent attacks, including one at a Palm Sunday service where 40 worshippers were killed, and another at a Christian wedding where 13 people died, as examples of escalating violence targeting religious groups.
His warning comes amid renewed violence in Plateau State, where 28 people were killed in an assault in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang described the attack as “tragic” and “senseless,” saying security forces are pursuing the perpetrators.
Nigeria has long struggled with diverse security challenges, including clashes between herders and farming communities, activities by insurgent groups such as Islamic State affiliates and Boko Haram in the northeast, and sporadic communal violence in central states. These recurring attacks have displaced hundreds of thousands and hindered local economies.
Moore said Washington could escalate its involvement if Nigerian authorities do not ramp up responses. “As President Trump has been very clear on this, if they don’t address this, we’re going to address it for them,” he said, stressing that the U.S. preferred to work in cooperation with Nigerian authorities but was prepared to take the lead if necessary.
The United States currently maintains a limited military presence in Nigeria, including about 200 personnel providing training and intelligence support to Nigerian forces. Moore referenced U.S. assets in the region, including MQ‑9 Reaper drones and past Tomahawk cruise missile strikes targeting Islamic State and Boko Haram militants. Despite these efforts, he said extremist groups remain “largely unfettered.”
Moore’s comments also referenced data from Open Doors, a global Christian advocacy organisation that listed Nigeria among the worst countries for Christian persecution in 2025, noting that it accounted for a disproportionate share of reported killings worldwide.
However, his claims have generated debate. A New York Times report noted that some U.S. lawmakers have made similar claims about genocide in Nigeria that critics argue oversimplify the conflict, which involves multiple armed groups and affects Nigerians of different faiths.
The Nigerian government has repeatedly rejected characterisations of the violence as religious genocide, saying the insecurity is complex and rooted in economic, political, and communal factors that impact all communities.
Moore rejected criticism of his stance, calling a recent report on the matter “disgusting” and accusing its authors of failing to seek his perspective before publication.
The development follows earlier warnings by Moore that continued attacks on worshippers during Christian holy days could strain diplomatic relations and amplify calls for stronger security measures and coordinated international support for Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to curb violence.
