Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, addressed the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa regarding violence against Christians in Nigeria. Moore highlighted the ongoing persecution and killings carried out by armed militants, criminal groups, and jihadists targeting Christian communities. He called on the Nigerian government to take immediate action to protect these vulnerable populations and disarm violent groups.
Moore referenced President Trump's directive from October 31, which led the House Appropriations Committee to begin preparing a report on attacks against Christians in Nigeria. The report aims to identify ways Congress can support efforts to protect faith communities globally.
The committee’s actions are aligned with work by Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), chairman of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee. Díaz-Balart’s FY26 bill supports the White House’s decision to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and emphasizes policies for counterterrorism, improved security coordination, human rights protections, and global stability.
During his remarks at the hearing, Moore said: “Thank you, Chairman Smith, for convening this hearing. I just want to recognize real quick the tremendous impact that Chairman Smith has had in this realm of human rights and Christian persecution over the decades. I'm a former staff member, actually, of this committee. I worked on this committee when Chairman Smith was on this committee. He had a very large impact on me as a staff member. And to come full circle back around to be on a hearing on such an issue that was inspired by Chairman Smith's work here when I was a staff member. Thank you for that.
“I think one of the things that's, I would say, disheartening in this, hearing some of the media reporting and frankly, some of my colleagues on the other side of the dais here, is this misdirection of what is happening. There is a persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The witnesses have made that clear. We heard the bishop speak. I don't know how many times we have to hear it or how many reports of murdered, martyred Christians, my brothers and sisters in Christ in Nigeria, how many times do we have to hear that happen to take it seriously? And one of the things that concerns me is that it feels like, at times, it's echoing in indifference around this, and somehow, we're going to develop our way out of it through developmental programs. And this indifference sounds like echoes of Rwanda to me, where we did nothing on that. I think, as you remember quite clearly, President Clinton has stated [Rwanda] as one of his largest failures in his Administration.
“President Trump has made a definitive decision to actively engage and stop the killing in Nigeria. And I think he deserves a lot of credit for that. You all have used a word that I think is very apt in this, and this is ‘prioritization.’ As Chairman Smith put it perfectly in his opening statement, when he spoke with the senior officials [from the] Nigerian government, is that we do want to work with them. We have the opportunity here. I think Nigerians have an opportunity to deepen and strengthen their relationship with the United States if they will prioritize the protection of these communities. Of course, non-Christians are being killed too, [we’re] not saying that's not happening, but there is a systematic, targeted campaign that's happening here.
“I met with that same delegation, and some of the feedback we were getting is a little bit of that same misdirection. But let's not turn a blind eye to what's happening. Let’s not believe our lying eyes. One thing I'd want to point out here is we've had religious organizations and advocacy groups that have been calling for humanitarian assistance in the Middle Belt region. And my understanding is that the Tinubu Administration has not specifically requested it. That's why it's not there. They just have to ask for it; our State Department will then provide that assistance to those organizations on the ground. That is a perfect example of prioritization and indifference to what is happening here. So that would be a great—to use your department's term—‘confidence-building measure’ on the part of the Tinubu government in this if they are serious about this because I can promise you President Trump is very serious about this.
“A question that I have for you is: The Nigerian constitution prohibits ownership of firearms but somehow these Fulani militants operating in the Middle Belt region...are all armed...Why hasn't there been some type of move or campaign by the Nigerian government to disarm these militants...? Because I think it would actually have a serious impact...and it is something that I raised with Nigerian government officials when we met with them…
“It just seems...to make all sense...I'm not saying it's easy but it is something they should be doing—they should be looking at.
“I would urge...the Nigerian government...to take a look at pardoning Sunday Jackson who...was fighting for his own life...against one Fulani militant...Now Sunday Jackson...is facing death penalty...Where's justice?...All these Fulani militants are breaking law....Sunday Jackson disarms person with knife protects own life he's going prison now faces death penalty Fulani militants just roaming bands them AK-47s no problem....You are so right about prioritization.”
Rep Chris Smith (R-NJ), chairing both Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa and present at hearing echoed concern over continued violence targeting Christians: "The systematic slaughter of Christians in Nigeria's Middle Belt is a genocide met with years of shameful indifference – this is not just a crisis; it's a moral catastrophe that demands our immediate attention lest it echo failures Rwanda…President Trump's bold redesignation…reverses…inaction prior administrations sends clear message: United States will no longer stand by while our brothers sisters Christ martyred.
"The Tinubu administration has an opportunity to strengthen ties with America by prioritizing protection religious minorities disarming Fulani militants armed AK-47s violation Nigerian law requesting humanitarian aid already available from our State Department save lives Middle Belt…Let's not turn blind eye–Nigeria must act now: request U.S assistance enforce disarmament pardon defenders like Sunday Jackson facing death protecting own lives or risk deepening rift bilateral relationship."
The House Appropriations Committee plans further collaboration with authorizers aimed at supporting Christians under threat in Nigeria while advancing related foreign policy objectives.
