A United States congressman, Riley Moore has stressed that President Donald Trump does not make idle threats and would continue monitoring new developments in the country.
Moore said he is pushing the Nigerian government to accept the open hand of cooperation to stop the ongoing ‘persecution’ and violence against Christians and combat the threat terrorist groups poses to the country as a whole.
He confirmed holding a meeting with a Federal Government delegation, led by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, as part of diplomatic efforts to douse the mounting tension between both nations, over alleged genocide against Christians in Nigeria. Apart from the meeting with Moore, the Nigerian delegation, it was gathered, has also been scheduled to meet with some White House officials, security chiefs and several other lawmakers on the matter.
A statement by Moore listed other members of the entourage from Nigeria to include the Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu.
Others were the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Undiendeye, Special Adviser, Office of the NSA, Ms. Idayat Hassan, Director of Foreign Relations, ONSA, Ambassador Ibrahim Babani, Acting CDA, Embassy of Nigeria, Ambassador Nuru Biu and the Political and Economic Section, Embassy of Nigeria, Paul Alabi.
Moore met with a delegation of senior members of the Nigerian government, led by Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser to the President of Nigeria, during the delegation’s visit to Washington, D.C. The meeting allowed for a frank, honest and productive discussion about the ongoing persecution of Christians and ongoing terrorist threats in Nigeria and opportunities for strengthened cooperation and coordination between the United States and Nigeria to end the bloodshed.
During the meeting, Nigerian officials shared their government’s challenges and concerns regarding counter-terrorism, security assistance, protection of vulnerable communities and ongoing issues involving violence across Nigeria. Congressman Moore clearly stated that the United States stands ready to coordinate and cooperate with Nigeria, and that, as President Trump made abundantly clear, the United States will not tolerate continued violence against Christians or other forms of religious persecution.
Moore said “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 Saviour, 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.”
