A United States lawmaker, Riley Moore, has dismissed China’s attempt to caution Washington over possible military involvement in Nigeria.
Moore said the U.S. will not bow to Beijing’s pressure and insisted that America must defend Christians facing violent attacks in Nigeria.
His stance followed China’s reported warning against any U.S. plan to intervene in Nigeria’s security crisis.
The Asian nation urged Washington to steer clear of what it described as Nigeria’s internal affairs.
Reacting on his X page on Tuesday, Moore backed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s strong position on religious freedom and protection of Christian communities.
He posted, “President Trump is absolutely right to defend our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering horrific persecution, and even martyrdom, for their faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
Moore also lashed out at Beijing, accusing China of hypocrisy and poor human-rights practices.
He stated that the United States would not tolerate lectures from a country with a history of violating the rights of Christians and ethnic minorities.
“China will not dictate our foreign policy to us, and we will not be lectured to by a Communist autocracy that recently arrested 30 Christian pastors for their faith and throws ethnic minorities in concentration camps,” he added.
His comments reflect growing diplomatic tension after Chinese authorities condemned the U.S. threat of direct intervention to stop the murders of Christians in Nigeria.
China responded earlier, saying its support remains firmly with the Nigerian government and urging foreign nations to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty.
During a press briefing, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that China stands with Nigeria as it continues its development path and opposes external interference.
Ning said, “As Nigeria’s comprehensive strategic partner, China firmly opposes any country using religion and human rights as an excuse to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, and threatening other countries with sanctions and force.”
Meanwhile, Nigerian authorities have also reacted. A presidential aide, Daniel Bwala, dismissed the U.S. warning and described it as propaganda meant to discredit President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He argued that credible independent monitors have not found evidence of government-sponsored persecution.
Bwala insisted that Nigeria retains full sovereignty and does not need foreign troops on its soil.
This heated exchange comes amid rising concerns over continued attacks on Christian communities in parts of northern Nigeria.
In a related development, a U.S. Senator, Ted Cruz recently urged Washington to impose targeted sanctions on people sponsoring religious violence in Nigeria, calling for stronger pressure on the Nigerian government to protect vulnerable communities.