You Failed to Protect Christians Despite Billions in Military Aid, U.S. Lawmaker Accuses Nigeria
A U.S. congressman, Riley M. Moore, has accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians from violent attacks despite receiving billions of dollars in military assistance from the United States over the years.
Moore, who represents West Virginia, made the allegation while addressing growing concerns about religious persecution and insecurity across Nigeria’s northern region.
In his statement, the lawmaker lamented what he described as the “unending slaughter” of Christians in parts of Nigeria, claiming that the Nigerian government has not demonstrated the political will to stop the killings. He noted that despite extensive military support — including funding, training, and intelligence aid from Washington — the Nigerian authorities have “failed to use those resources to protect innocent citizens, particularly Christians.”
“There is enormous potential for partnership between our two nations,” Moore said. “But Nigeria has received billions of dollars in security assistance, and protecting Christians has not been a priority. It’s time we hold them accountable for how that money is used.”
The congressman also called for a review of U.S. support to Nigeria, suggesting that arms sales and other forms of assistance should be suspended until Abuja takes concrete steps to address the violence.
He accused Nigerian leaders of “turning a blind eye” to attacks on Christian communities by terrorist and extremist groups.
In response, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly rejected Moore’s claims, describing them as “false, misleading, and politically motivated.”
Ministry spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa said the allegations were based on a distorted understanding of Nigeria’s complex security challenges.
According to the government, the violence ravaging parts of the country is not targeted at any particular religious group but is the result of terrorism, banditry, and communal conflicts affecting both Christians and Muslims.
The ministry also stressed that Nigeria remains a secular and multi-religious nation whose constitution guarantees freedom of religion and equal protection under the law.
Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar similarly dismissed the idea of a state-backed persecution of Christians as “impossible under Nigeria’s constitution.”
He noted that the government has consistently condemned all acts of violence, regardless of the victims’ religious background, and continues to invest heavily in security operations aimed at restoring peace.
The accusation adds to mounting international scrutiny of Nigeria’s handling of religious and security crises. Several Western lawmakers and rights organizations have repeatedly expressed concern over the frequency of attacks in northern and central Nigeria, often citing incidents involving church burnings, abductions, and mass killings.
However, analysts argue that the violence in Nigeria is more complex than religious conflict, with factors such as poverty, climate-induced resource competition, weak governance, and criminal opportunism playing significant roles.
Despite multiple counter-terrorism campaigns and billions of dollars in international assistance, large parts of the country remain vulnerable to armed groups like Boko Haram, ISWAP, and various bandit networks. Critics say the persistent attacks raise questions about accountability, transparency, and the actual impact of foreign aid on Nigeria’s internal security.
As debate intensifies in Washington, observers warn that the U.S. Congress could push for stricter conditions on future security funding to Nigeria — a move that might strain bilateral relations unless Abuja demonstrates measurable progress in curbing violence and ensuring the safety of all citizens.
