United States lawmaker Riley Moore has revealed that a united Nigeria remains the best option for the residents and citizens alike, warning that destabilising the country could embolden terrorists and put Christian population at greater risk, especially in the north and middle belt.
Moore also warned that efforts to encourage separatist agendas in Nigeria could worsen insecurity and further put Christians at greater risk in the country and Africa.
The Daily Crucible reports that there are many disparate separatist groups, including the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB), with each pushing agenda deemed antithetical to the peace, stability and unity of the country.
The congressman from West Virginia made this known via latest post shared on his official X (Formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, recalling that he conducted a fact-finding visit to Nigeria to better understand the situation of alleged Christian persecution.
He revealed that he engaged with Nigerian officials, church leaders, aid groups, and internally displaced persons across the country to ascertain the challenges Christians contend with, particularly in the North and Middle Belt.
“A destabilised Nigeria would embolden terrorists and make Christians less safe in Nigeria and across the continent,” he said.
“I have travelled to Nigeria and engaged in multiple high-level meetings with Nigerian officials, the Church, aid groups across the country, and IDPs, to get a better understanding of the rampant persecution of Christians in Nigeria,” he said.
“In my discussions, the idea of dividing the country has not come up in any serious way. Efforts to embolden separatists hurt Christians in Nigeria — especially in the North and Middle Belt,” Moore said.
Moore also emphasized that the recent security cooperation between the United States and Nigeria was a key step in tackling violence. “The US and Nigeria have just entered into a security cooperation agreement, and that is an important step in tackling the violence in Nigeria and deepening and strengthening the bilateral relationship between our great nations,” he said.
He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Nigerians affected by terrorism. “I remain committed to working to save the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ — and for that matter, all Nigerians — suffering from the instability wrought by terrorists throughout Nigeria. God bless you all,” Moore added.
