United States Congressman, Riley M. Moore, on Wednesday held what he described as a “frank, honest, and productive” meeting with a high-level Nigerian government delegation in Washington, D.C., with discussions centring on the continued killings of Christians and the rising threat posed by terrorist groups across Nigeria.

The Nigerian delegation, led by National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, included the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt. Gen. E. A. P. Undiendeye.

Also present were senior officials from the Office of the NSA and the Nigerian Embassy in Washington.

According to a statement, the Nigerian officials briefed Moore on ongoing counterterrorism operations, security assistance needs and efforts to protect vulnerable communities caught in widespread violence involving Boko Haram, ISWAP, armed militias and criminal groups operating across the country.

The delegation outlined Nigeria’s operational constraints and emphasised the country’s commitment to collaborating with the United States to tackle extremist threats.

In a statement, Moore said, “Today, I had a frank, honest, and productive discussion with senior members of the Nigerian government regarding the horrific violence and persecution Christians face and the ongoing threat terrorism poses across Nigeria. I made it crystal clear that the United States must see tangible steps to ensure that Christians are not subject to violence, persecution, displacement, and death simply for believing in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

“We stand ready to work cooperatively with the Nigerians to help their nation combat the terrorism perpetrated by Boko Haram, ISWAP, and Fulani militants against their population, specifically Christians in the Northeast and Middle Belt regions of Nigeria.

“The Nigerian government has the chance to strengthen and deepen its relationship with the United States. President Trump and Congress are united and serious in our resolve to end the violence against Christians and disrupt and destroy terrorist groups within Nigeria. I urge the Nigerians to work with us in cooperation and coordination on this critical issue.”

The meeting came ahead of today’s open hearing by the United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, which will examine President Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged religious persecution.

The hearing will be held at 11:00 a.m. in Room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office Building and streamed live. It will be chaired by Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ).

According to an invitation sighted by Punch, the hearing will feature two panels of witnesses, including top US State Department officials and Nigerian religious leaders.

The first panel will include:

Jonathan Pratt, Senior Bureau Official, Bureau of African Affairs

Jacob McGee, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour

The second panel will feature:

Ms Nina Shea, Director, Centre for Religious Freedom

Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Makurdi Catholic Diocese

Ms Oge Onubogu, Centre for Strategic & International Studies

Hearing to Consider Sanctions, Humanitarian Support, Policy Options

The subcommittee is expected to review the scope of religious persecution in Nigeria, terrorist violence targeting Christian and Muslim communities, possible US policy responses, including targeted sanctions, increased humanitarian aid and strengthened cooperation with Nigerian authorities to prevent further killings.

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