US Congress member gives details of his meeting with Nigerian delegation in Washington over attacks on Christians

By Desire Emmanuel

A Congressman in the United States, Rep Riley Moore, on Wednesday met with a delegation of senior members of the Nigerian government, led by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, during the delegation’s visit to Washington, D.C.

The Congressman disclosed after the meeting that they held a frank, honest, and productive discussion about what he described as the ongoing persecution of Christians and terrorist threats in Nigeria and opportunities for strengthened cooperation and coordination between the United States and Nigeria to end the bloodshed.

It was gathered that during the meeting, Nigerian officials shared their government’s challenges and concerns regarding counterterrorism, security assistance, protection of vulnerable communities and ongoing issues involving violence across Nigeria.

Moore said he clearly stated at the meeting that the United States stands ready to coordinate and cooperate with Nigeria, and that, as President Trump made abundantly clear, the United States will not tolerate continued violence against Christians or other forms of religious persecution.

“President Trump does not make idle threats. I will continue monitoring new developments and pushing the Nigerian government to accept the open hand of cooperation to stop the ongoing persecution and violence against Christians and combat the threat terrorist groups pose to the Nigerian population,” he said during the meeting.

The Nigerian delegation at the meeting included Mallam Nuhu Ribadu (leader of the delegation), Bianca Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police; Mr Lateef Fagbemi, Attorney General and Minister of Justice; General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff;  Lieutenant EAP Undiendeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence; Ms. Idayat Hassan, Special Adviser to the National Security Adviser; Ambassador Ibrahim Babani, Director of Foreign Relations, Office of the National Security Adviser, among others.

After the meeting, Congressman Moore issued the following statement:

“Today, I had a frank, honest, and productive discussion with senior members of the Nigerian government regarding the horrific violence and persecution Christians face and the ongoing threat terrorism poses across Nigeria.

“I made it crystal clear that the United States must see tangible steps to ensure that Christians are not subject to violence, persecution, displacement, and death simply for believing in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

“We stand ready to work cooperatively with the Nigerians to help their nation combat the terrorism perpetrated by Boko Haram, ISWAP and Fulani militants against their population, specifically Christians in the Northeast and Middle Belt regions of Nigeria.

“The Nigerian government has the chance to strengthen and deepen its relationship with the United States. President Trump and Congress are united and serious in our resolve to end the violence against Christians and disrupt and destroy terrorist groups within Nigeria. I urge the Nigerians to work with us in cooperation and coordination on this critical issue.”