United States Congressman Riley Moore has raised concerns over rising terrorism and persistent killings in parts of Nigeria, saying “much work still needs to be done” to strengthen the country’s security response.
Moore, who met with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu in Abuja, disclosed the details of the engagement in a statement on X yesterday. He said the talks centred on terrorism in the North-East and the violence in the Middle Belt — issues he described as key concerns for President Donald Trump and himself.
According to him, the delegation and Nigerian officials reviewed several measures that could improve national security if fully executed. “There were concrete steps and actions discussed at length that, if carried out, will enhance security across the country, disrupt terrorist groups in the North-East and stop the killing of Christians — particularly in the Middle Belt,” he wrote.
Moore also commended the Federal Government for rescuing 100 abducted Catholic schoolchildren in Niger State, describing the operation as a positive signal of the administration’s commitment to improving security. He thanked President Bola Tinubu for what he called an increasing responsiveness to ongoing threats.
The congressman said U.S. concerns were “positively received” and cited the establishment of a joint task force between both countries as evidence of deepening cooperation. While acknowledging the government’s openness to collaboration, he stressed that such engagement must translate into concrete action.
“There is much work still to be done, but things are moving in the right direction,” Moore added, expressing optimism about continued dialogue with Nigerian authorities.
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On Sunday, the Office of the National Security Adviser confirmed that it hosted a U.S. congressional delegation as part of ongoing security consultations between the two nations.
Ribadu, in a message shared on his X handle, said the visit followed earlier talks held in Washington, DC, centred on mutual security interests.
“This morning, I received a US Congressional delegation on a fact-finding mission to Nigeria, following our earlier engagements in Washington, DC, on shared security priorities,” he said.
He added that the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, was also present at the meeting, a development he said “reflected the importance both nations attach to this engagement.”
According to Ribadu, discussions during the meeting focused on “counter-terrorism cooperation, regional stability,” and ways to “strengthen the strategic security partnership between Nigeria and the United States.”
“I’m optimistic this engagement will deepen trust, collaboration, and shared commitment to peace and security,” he said.
The visit comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions after Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged religious freedom violations, a move accompanied by threats of possible US military intervention.
The Federal Government has repeatedly dismissed claims of systemic Christian persecution, maintaining that insecurity affects citizens of all religious backgrounds.
On November 20, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth hosted the NSA at the Pentagon for discussions on coordinated strategies to address the crisis.
That same day, the US House Subcommittee on Africa opened a public hearing to examine President Trump’s recent redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.
Lawmakers met to evaluate the potential implications of the designation.
Last Tuesday, House Republicans issued warnings about rising religious violence in Nigeria during a joint briefing called at the direction of President Trump, who on October 31 instructed Moore and the House Appropriations Committee to investigate what he described as the slaughter of Christians in the country and report its findings to the White House.
