United States Congressman Riley M. Moore has dismissed claims that Washington supports any move to break up Nigeria, warning that promoting separatist agendas would worsen insecurity and expose Christian communities to greater danger.
Moore made the remarks in a statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account following a visit to Nigeria, where he met with government officials, church leaders, humanitarian organisations, and internally displaced persons.
“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,” Moore said.
The lawmaker stressed that discussions about dividing Nigeria did not feature in any of his engagements. He warned that encouraging separatist movements would be counterproductive, particularly for vulnerable communities.
“In my discussions, the idea of dividing the country has not come up in any serious way,” he stated, adding that “efforts to embolden separatists hurt Christians in Nigeria, especially in the North and Middle Belt.”
Moore cautioned that any weakening of Nigeria’s unity would have far-reaching security implications beyond the country’s borders.
“A destabilized Nigeria would embolden terrorists and make Christians less safe in Nigeria and across the continent,” he said.
He also pledged continued advocacy for victims of terrorism and insecurity nationwide, stressing his commitment to supporting all Nigerians affected by violence.
“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,” Moore added.
The congressman linked his position to ongoing security cooperation between the United States and Nigeria, describing a recently signed security cooperation agreement as a significant step toward tackling violence and strengthening bilateral relations.
“The US and Nigeria have just entered into a security cooperation agreement, and that is an important step in addressing the violence in Nigeria and deepening the bilateral relationship between our great nations,” he said.
