Riley Moore, a member of United States House of Representatives, has said that the release of the 100 children kidnapped from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara LGA of Niger State, reflects a positive step in President Bola Tinubu’s handling of Nigeria’s security problems.
Gatekeepers News reports that Moore made the comment in an X post on Monday after he met with Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser. His visit follows months of tense discussions between the US and Nigeria over claims of Christian persecution.
The trip also comes after high-level security talks held in Washington last month between Ribadu and Pete Hegseth, the US Defence Secretary. Those discussions took place on the same day the US Congress reviewed allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria.
During the congressional hearing, Jonathan Pratt, a senior official in the US State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, said the United States would work with Nigeria on new measures, including a joint task force, to address the claims of persecution.
Moore confirmed in his Monday post that the joint task force has now been created. He said the move is a great example that cooperation on security is possible and noted that the US concerns were taken seriously.
He said, “There were concrete steps and actions discussed at length, that if fully executed, I believe will enhance security across the country for all Nigerians, disrupt and destroy terrorist organizations in the northeast and stop the killing of Christians (a specific concern for @POTUS and myself) – particularly in the Middle Belt of the country.”
“I want to thank the Nigerian government and @officialABAT for rescuing the 100 innocent and precious Catholic school children. This is 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.”
Moore said the Nigerian government has shown openness and willingness to work with the US.
He added, “Now, that openness has to translate to concrete action. There is much work still to be done, but things are moving in the right direction.”
The lawmaker said he looks forward to the next steps and continued dialogue with the Nigerian government.
