Riley Moore has slammed the Nigerian government over the renewed killings in Plateau State, accusing authorities of abandoning Christian communities to deadly attacks despite receiving intelligence warnings.
In a statement, the U.S. congressman contrasted Nigeria’s swift intervention to halt a coup attempt in Benin with what he described as the government’s failure to protect its own citizens.
“When I visited Nigeria, the government responded swiftly to quell a coup in Benin. Nigeria’s willingness to step in to stop a violent attack in another country, while they stand by as their own Christian citizens are brutalized, makes these absolutely horrific scenes unfolding in Plateau State all the more unconscionable.”
The lawmaker alleged that Christians who had gathered for a mass burial of victims from a previous attack were again targeted and murdered by radical Islamic terrorists.
“Christians, who were gathered for a mass burial for those killed in a previous attack, were viciously murdered,” he stated.
Moore further accused the Nigerian government of failing to act despite prior warnings of the attacks.
“The Nigerian Government could root out the terrorism and stop the martyrdom of its own citizens. But, despite receiving early warnings of impending attacks, they are nowhere to be found as Christians are murdered for their faith, like lambs led to slaughter.” He added.
Declaring that “Enough is enough,” the congressman called on the administration of Donald Trump to take decisive action in response to the violence.
“I am grateful the Trump Administration specifically identified protecting Christians in Nigeria in the administration’s new Counterterrorism Strategy. Now, I am asking the Trump Administration to take forceful action to defend our innocent brothers and sisters in Christ in the Middle Belt of Nigeria, the epicenter of an ongoing Christian genocide.” He stressed further.
