A United States (US) congressional delegation, led by Congressman Riley Moore, has concluded a 'fact-finding' mission to Nigeria to investigate allegations of genocide against Christian communities, with a full report to be submitted to President Donald Trump by the end of the month.
According to reports, the five-member team arrived in Nigeria on Sunday, visiting Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, survivors of terrorist attacks, Christian leaders, traditional rulers, and local communities, particularly in Benue State.
They also held discussions with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
Speaking on Fox News on Thursday, Moore described the mission as the most harrowing of his career.
“It was really shocking, the stories we heard, the imagery. I have never witnessed anything like that in my life,” he said, recounting cases of extreme violence.
He detailed one incident in which a woman lost five children before her eyes while pregnant, escaping to an IDP camp where she later gave birth.
In another case, a woman reportedly lost her husband, two daughters, and unborn child in a single attack.
Moore suggested the pattern of violence indicated that Christian communities were being deliberately targeted.
The delegation travelled across Benue State in armoured vehicles due to security risks, meeting both Catholic and Protestant leaders, bishops, and community heads to gather what Moore called “ground truth.”
He dismissed claims that the violence is driven by climate pressures or land disputes.
“For those who say this is about climate change or economics, why would you burn down a church? Why would you attack an IDP camp screaming ‘Allahu Akbar’? It is very clear what the answer is. They are trying to erase Christians in Benue State and across Nigeria from their ancestral homeland,” Moore said.
President Trump had previously designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged attacks on Christians, a stance the Federal Government has contested, insisting that the nation’s security crisis is not religiously motivated.
Moore confirmed that he and House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole would deliver a full report with recommendations to the President by the end of December.
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