U.S. Lawmaker Accuses Nigerian Government of Failing to Protect Christians Despite Billions in Military Aid
By Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi | Global Egberi Media International
A fresh diplomatic storm is brewing between Nigeria and the United States as Riley Moore, a U.S. lawmaker and chairman of an investigative committee set up by former President Donald Trump, has accused the Nigerian government of failing to justify billions of dollars in military assistance received from Washington while the killings of Christians allegedly continue unchecked across the country.
Speaking during an interview on the Dinesh D’Souza Programme, Moore expressed grave concern over what he described as a “forgotten genocide” against Nigerian Christians, lamenting that the crisis has been met with global indifference and weak domestic response.
“My brothers and sisters in Christ are murdered for practising their faith and belief in our Lord Jesus Christ,” Moore said. “For years, this has continued under the radar while the world looks away.”
Billions in Military Support, Little Accountability
Moore disclosed that successive Nigerian administrations have received billions of dollars worth of U.S. military training, intelligence, and equipment to combat terrorism and religious violence but have failed to prioritize the protection of Christian communities.
“The U.S. has provided Nigeria with substantial assistance—training, intelligence, and equipment—to help address this issue,” he said. “Yet, the killings remain unresolved because protection of Christians has not been treated as a national priority.”
He warned that if the situation deteriorates further, the U.S. “would be forced to act,” stressing that Washington still prefers a cooperative partnership with Nigeria to jointly tackle terrorism before it escalates beyond control.
Trump’s Position and Renewed Global Attention
Moore’s remarks come just days after Donald Trump announced that Nigeria had been redesignated as a “Country of Particular Concern”—a classification used by the U.S. government to identify nations where severe violations of religious freedom occur.
In his statement on Truth Social, Trump declared:
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed by radical Islamists. The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening. We are ready, willing, and able to defend Christians around the world.”
Trump also hinted that Washington could take direct military action — possibly including airstrikes or ground troop deployments — if the Nigerian government fails to act decisively.
“Forgotten Genocide” and the Call for Global Action
According to Moore, the silence of the international community over what he called the “slaughter of Christians” in Nigeria is both disturbing and unacceptable. He described the killings as “a forgotten genocide,” arguing that global Christian values are under siege in parts of Africa.
“If we are not going to stand up for this—for the very values we hold as Christians—then what do we stand for?” he asked passionately.
He added that the time had come for the Nigerian government and its partners to move beyond political rhetoric and take “concrete steps” to end the bloodshed. Moore confirmed that he would submit his committee’s full report to President Trump, thanking him for what he described as “bold leadership in defending persecuted Christians.”
Nigeria’s Official Response
In response, Nigerian authorities have rejected the genocide characterization, insisting that the violence in the country affects both Christians and Muslims alike. The government emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution protects all faiths, and blamed the security challenges on broader socio-economic and criminal factors rather than religious persecution.
A government source reiterated that Nigeria remains committed to “protecting all citizens regardless of religion” and warned against what it termed “external attempts to politicize internal security challenges.”
Between Faith, Politics, and International Diplomacy
The growing rhetoric from Washington has revived long-standing debates about religious freedom, sovereignty, and Western intervention in African security matters. Analysts warn that while international pressure may bring global attention to Nigeria’s crisis, any unilateral foreign military action could complicate the delicate counterterrorism landscape in the region.
Nevertheless, one undeniable truth emerges: Nigeria must do more to safeguard its people, not merely to appease foreign critics but to restore the dignity of human life and uphold the constitutional right to worship freely.
As faith, politics, and global diplomacy collide, Nigeria stands once again at the center of a complex moral and strategic equation.
Author:
✍️ Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi
Academic, Activist & Development Advocate
📄 Source: Sahara Reporters
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