United States Congressman Riley M. Moore has held a high-level meeting with a delegation of senior Nigerian officials to discuss escalating terrorist threats and the continued persecution of Christian communities across Nigeria. The meeting, which took place in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, was led by Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and focused on opportunities to strengthen cooperation between both nations in combating extremist violence.
According to details provided after the closed-door meeting, discussions centered on Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges, including attacks by Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and violent militant groups operating across the northeast and Middle Belt regions. The Nigerian delegation also highlighted persistent obstacles involving counterterrorism coordination, security assistance, and the protection of vulnerable populations.
Congressman Moore said the United States remains committed to supporting Nigeria but stressed the need for “tangible steps” to protect Christian communities who continue to suffer displacement, killings, and targeted persecution. He referenced President Donald Trump’s expressed determination to address religious violence worldwide, stating that Washington “will not tolerate continued violence against Christians or other forms of persecution.”
In a statement issued after the meeting, Moore described the conversation as “frank, honest, and productive,” adding that the U.S. is prepared to expand cooperation with Nigeria to address the growing threats posed by extremist groups. He emphasized that the partnership will require concrete action from the Nigerian side, saying the country now has an opportunity to deepen its security relationship with the United States.
“We stand ready to work cooperatively with the Nigerians to help their nation combat the terrorism perpetrated by Boko Haram, ISWAP, and Fulani militants,” he said. “President Trump and Congress are united and serious in our resolve to end the violence against Christians and to disrupt and destroy terrorist groups within Nigeria.”
The Nigerian delegation included top-ranking security and government officials, among them are National Security Adviser and head of delegation, Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN; Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt. Gen. E.A.P. Undiendeye. Others are senior advisers and diplomatic envoys attached to Nigeria’s Office of the National Security Adviser and Nigerian Embassy in Washington
The meeting comes at a time of renewed international concern over Nigeria’s worsening security climate. In recent months, several states—including Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, and parts of the North-East—have continued to experience deadly attacks attributed to extremist organizations and armed militias. Human rights groups and international observers have repeatedly called for more decisive action to protect rural communities, especially Christian-majority areas that have seen a rise in targeted killings and mass abductions.
While neither government released new policy commitments following the meeting, both sides signaled willingness to continue engagement. U.S. officials indicated they would closely monitor Nigeria’s next steps, while the Nigerian delegation expressed interest in enhancing intelligence sharing, counterterrorism training, and strategic security partnerships.
The dialogue marks one of the most direct and high-level engagements between U.S. lawmakers and Nigerian security leaders since concerns intensified over religiously motivated violence in the region. Further meetings are expected as both nations work to strengthen cooperation in addressing one of West Africa’s most entrenched security crises.
