A United States delegation on a fact-finding mission to investigate alleged Christian-targeted attacks in Nigeria visited Benue State on Monday, holding crucial discussions with key religious and traditional leaders in the state.
During the visit, the delegation met with Catholic bishops and the traditional ruler of the Tiv people, a meeting aimed at understanding the scale and nature of violence reported in the region.
US Congressman Riley Moore, who is part of the delegation, shared details of the engagement in a post on X. He described the meeting as “deeply moving,” noting that he held talks with Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, Bishop Isaac Dugu, and His Royal Highness James Ioruza, the traditional ruler of the Tiv people.
“It was an honour and deeply moving to meet with his excellency 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.
A long-time advocate for persecuted Christian communities, Moore reiterated that the United States would not ignore the pleas of those affected.
“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.”
The visit to Benue followed Moore’s meeting with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Sunday. He commended the Federal Government for what he described as increased transparency and willingness to collaborate on security reforms.
Moore described his mission to Nigeria as “very productive,” hinting that more updates would follow.
On Monday, he elaborated further, revealing that discussions with Nigerian officials focused on counter-terrorism in the North-East and escalating violence in the Middle Belt — issues he said were of particular concern to former US President Donald Trump and himself.
“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 North-East, and stop the killing of Christians… particularly in the Middle Belt,” he wrote.
Moore also commended the recent rescue of 100 abducted Catholic schoolchildren in Niger State, praising President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian government for what he called a “positive demonstration” of renewed commitment to security.
“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 said.
He added that US concerns were “positively received,” noting that the establishment of a joint Nigeria-US task force signaled deepening cooperation between both countries in tackling insecurity.
