United States Congressman Riley Moore has revealed that Nigeria and the US are close to finalising a strategic security framework aimed at tackling terrorism in the country, particularly in the North-East and Middle Belt regions. Moore made the disclosure following a fact-finding mission, during which he observed the devastating impact of violent extremism on civilians in Benue and Plateau states.
The framework, Moore explained in a post on X, will focus on confronting extremist groups like Boko Haram and ISIS, while also addressing what he described as the “genocide against Christians” in the Middle Belt. He led a delegation of US Congressmen that met with Nigerian officials, including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Attorney General, Lateef Fagbemi, as well as religious and traditional leaders in the affected states.
Moore described the visit as emotionally impactful, recounting heartbreaking encounters with victims of the violence. “I met a woman who witnessed all five of her children murdered in front of her,” he said. “Another woman lost her husband and two daughters and had her unborn child killed.” He added that his upcoming report to President Donald Trump would outline practical steps to work with Nigeria in ending these atrocities.
The mission follows Nigeria’s engagement with the US after the country was redesignated as a Country of Particular Concern over attacks on Christians. Washington had warned of potential military action against Fulani extremists if the Nigerian government failed to act. In response, the Federal Government has implemented several measures, including declaring a state of emergency on insecurity, forming a US-Nigeria Joint Working Group on Security, and appointing Gen. Christopher Musa as Defence Minister.
Moore expressed optimism about the progress made, stating, “We did have positive conversations with the Nigerian government, and I believe we are close to a strategic security framework to address both the ISIS and Boko Haram threat in the Northeast, as well as the genocide against Christians by radical Fulani Muslims in the Middle Belt.”
