The United States team on fact-finding mission over alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria has visited Benue State on Monday where they interacted with Catholic bishops and the Tiv traditional ruler.
US congressman, Riley Moore, revealed this on his X on Monday, saying they would extend support to the Tiv and Christian leaders in the.
“It was an honour and deeply moving to meet with Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, Bishop Isaac Dugu, and His Royal Highness James Ioruza, traditional ruler of the Tiv people, to discuss the ongoing genocidal campaign by the Fulani in Benue State,” Moore wrote.
The American lawmaker, who has been vocal on the alleged genocide against Nigerian Christians said the US would not ignore the suffering the local leaders were facing.
“Our brothers and sisters in Christ will no longer suffer in silence,” he said. “The United States has heard your cries and we are working diligently toward solutions.”
Moore had praised the Federal Government for its openness and willingness to work with the US to tackle the raging insecurity in Nigeria, after reaching an engagement with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Sunday.
Moore said he had a “very productive visit to Nigeria,” adding that “more details to come. Happy Sunday. God is Great!”
The following day Monday, Moore said on his X, that the discussions centered on terrorism in the North-East and killings in the Middle Belt, adding that the issues were a specific concern for President Donald Trump and himself.
According to him, his team and Nigerian officials examined concrete steps and actions that he believes could improve security if carried out fully.
Moore said “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 thanked the Nigerian government and President Bola Tinubu for rescuing the 100 abducted Catholic schoolchildren.
“This is a positive demonstration of the government’s increasing response to the security situation and shows commitment to the emergency declaration laid out by President Tinubu,” he wrote.
US concerns were “positively received”, he said and pointed to what he described as a “now established joint task force between Nigeria and the US” as an example of cooperation.
“It is clear that there is an openness and willingness on the part of the Nigerian government to work with the United States to tackle these critical issues.
“Now, that openness has to translate to concrete action.
“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 concluded his post with, “Peace be with you all. God bless the great people of Nigeria.”
