Congressman Riley Moore has directly challenged Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s position on religious persecution, calling claims of non-discrimination “completely false” as Congress investigates religious violence in the African nation.
Moore, who is leading a House Appropriations Committee investigation alongside Congressman Tom Cole at President Trump’s direction, pointed to specific evidence contradicting Tinubu’s assertions that his government opposes religious persecution.
“Unfortunately, that is completely false,” Moore stated, highlighting a current case where a Nigerian Christian faces execution for defending himself against an attacker from the Fulani tribe, a predominantly Muslim group. “There’s a person currently right now who is held in prison for defending himself from attack from a Muslim militant from the Fulani tribe. He is facing the death penalty.”
The congressman emphasized that serious persecution continues across Nigeria, despite Tinubu’s public statements. Moore acknowledged that militant groups like Boko Haram have also targeted Muslim communities, with thousands killed in those attacks as well.
However, Moore’s investigation has uncovered a stark disparity in casualty rates. “The deaths we have been able to garner from the facts on the ground, it’s five to one Christians versus other minorities or other religious organizations in that country,” he explained, while acknowledging that Muslims also face violence depending on regional demographics.
The investigation involves coordination between the House Appropriations Committee, House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressional leadership, the State Department, and White House staff. Moore indicated they are working to present findings to President Trump as quickly as possible.
President Trump recently designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” regarding religious freedom—a classification that authorizes 15 different enforcement mechanisms. These include sanctions, withholding development assistance, restricting financing from international institutions, and potentially military action.
Moore framed the US. response as consistent with American values, stating the nation has a responsibility to defend persecuted religious communities worldwide.
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