During their visit, the American representatives met with Catholic bishops and the paramount traditional ruler of the Tiv community.
US Congressman Riley Moore shared details of the engagement on X, expressing his solidarity with Christian and Tiv leaders in the state.
Moore stated it was “an honour and deeply moving” to meet with Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, Bishop Isaac Dugu, and His Royal Highness James Ioruza, the Tiv traditional ruler, to talk about what he termed “the ongoing genocidal campaign by the Fulani in Benue State.”
As a vocal supporter for the protection of Christian populations in Nigeria, Moore emphasized that the United States would seriously consider the issues raised by local authorities.
He promised, “Our brothers and sisters in Christ will no longer suffer in silence,” adding, “The United States has heard your cries and we are working diligently toward solutions.”
Earlier, after meeting with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Sunday, Moore commended the Federal Government for its transparency and cooperation with the US in tackling Nigeria’s rising security issues.
He characterized his trip to Nigeria as “very productive.” In a subsequent update on Monday, he specified that the talks covered terrorism in the North-East and violent outbreaks in the Middle Belt, which he noted were major concerns for both himself and President Donald Trump.
Moore wrote that they discussed “concrete steps and actions” that, if carried out completely, he believes “will enhance security across the country for all Nigerians, disrupt and destroy terrorist organisations in the northeast and stop the killing of Christians (a specific concern for @POTUS and me), particularly in the Middle Belt of the country.”
Furthermore, he congratulated the Nigerian government and President Bola Tinubu on the recent successful rescue of 100 abducted Catholic schoolchildren.
Moore called the rescue a “positive demonstration of the government’s increasing response to the security situation and shows commitment to the emergency declaration laid out by President Tinubu.”
He concluded by noting that the US concerns were “positively received” and pointed to the formation of a joint task force between Nigeria and the United States as proof of enhanced partnership.
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