A United States lawmaker, Riley Moore, has cautioned that promoting separatist movements in Nigeria could severely undermine the country’s stability, empower terrorist groups, and worsen the security situation for Christians and other vulnerable populations.
In a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, Moore said he recently undertook a fact-finding visit to Nigeria to gain first-hand insight into claims of widespread persecution of Christians. The visit, he explained, was aimed at understanding the broader security challenges facing the country, particularly in the North and Middle Belt regions where violence linked to insurgency and communal conflicts has been persistent.
According to Moore, his engagements during the visit were extensive and included meetings with senior Nigerian government officials, church leaders, humanitarian organisations, and internally displaced persons (IDPs). These interactions, he said, helped him better appreciate the complexity of Nigeria’s security challenges and the impact of terrorism and instability on civilian populations.
“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 U.S. congressman addressed growing rhetoric in some international circles suggesting that Nigeria should be divided along ethnic or religious lines as a solution to insecurity. He said such ideas did not feature in any serious manner during his discussions in Nigeria and warned that pushing separatist agendas would likely do more harm than good.
“In my discussions, the idea of dividing the country has not come up in any serious way,” he stated. “Efforts to embolden separatists hurt Christians in Nigeria — especially in the North and Middle Belt.”
Moore argued that Nigeria’s size, population, and strategic position in West Africa mean that any serious destabilisation would have consequences far beyond its borders. He warned that weakening the Nigerian state could create opportunities for terrorist groups to expand their operations, putting millions of lives at risk.
“A destabilised Nigeria would embolden terrorists and make Christians less safe in Nigeria and across the continent,” he said, adding that insecurity in Nigeria already has spillover effects in neighbouring countries.
The lawmaker also pointed to recent developments in U.S.–Nigeria relations as a positive step toward addressing the security crisis. He highlighted a newly concluded security cooperation agreement between Washington and Abuja, describing it as an important milestone in efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism.
“The U.S. and Nigeria have just entered into a security cooperation agreement, and that is an important step in tackling the violence in Nigeria and deepening and strengthening the bilateral relationship between our great nations,” Moore said.
He stressed that long-term solutions would require sustained collaboration, intelligence sharing, and support for Nigerian-led initiatives to protect civilians and restore stability in affected regions.
Moore concluded his remarks by reaffirming his commitment to advocating for victims of terrorism in Nigeria, regardless of religious or ethnic background. While he focused particularly on the plight of Christian communities, he said the broader goal was to improve security and protect all Nigerians from 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,” he said.
As part of his visit, Moore also met with Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang. Discussions during the meeting centred on strengthening bilateral cooperation and addressing insecurity in the Middle Belt, one of the regions hardest hit by recurring violence. Moore later described the engagement as “substantive and forward-looking,” noting that it reinforced the importance of partnership between Nigeria and the United States.
Analysts say Moore’s comments reflect growing concern in Washington over Nigeria’s security situation and its implications for regional stability. Nigeria remains Africa’s most populous country and a key partner of the United States in counterterrorism efforts across West Africa.
With insurgency, banditry, and communal conflicts continuing to challenge authorities, Moore’s remarks underscore the view among U.S. policymakers that preserving Nigeria’s unity and strengthening state institutions remain central to tackling insecurity and protecting vulnerable communities.
Source: Africa Publicity
