United States lawmaker Riley Moore has cautioned that encouraging separatist agendas in Nigeria could worsen insecurity and increase risks for Christians across the country and beyond.
Moore made the comments in a statement posted on his official X account (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, 7 February 2026.
Nigeria, a leading West African country and Africa’s most populous nation, has faced persistent security challenges in different areas, including parts of the North and the central region commonly called the Middle Belt.
Moore said he visited Nigeria on a fact-finding mission to gain a clearer understanding of reports of persecution against Christians.
He said he held meetings with Nigerian officials, church leaders, aid organisations, and internally displaced persons (IDPs), people forced from their homes by conflict.
“I have travelled to Nigeria and engaged in multiple high-level meetings with Nigerian officials, the Church, aid groups across the country, and IDPs, to get a better understanding of the rampant persecution of Christians in Nigeria,” he said.
Moore said the issue of dividing Nigeria did not come up in any serious form during his engagements.
“In my discussions, the idea of dividing the country has not come up in any serious way,” he said.
He warned that pushing separatist ideas could have serious consequences for Christians, especially in the North and in the Middle Belt, a broad description for parts of north-central Nigeria.
“Efforts to embolden separatists hurt Christians in Nigeria, especially in the North and Middle Belt,” Moore said.
He also argued that any attempt to destabilise Nigeria could strengthen violent extremist groups and make Christians less safe in Nigeria and elsewhere in Africa.
“A destabilised Nigeria would embolden terrorists and make Christians less safe in Nigeria and across the continent,” he said.
Moore highlighted what he described as a new security cooperation agreement between the United States and Nigeria, saying it could help address violence and strengthen relations between both countries.
“The US and Nigeria have just entered into a security cooperation agreement, and that is an important step in tackling the violence in Nigeria and deepening and strengthening the bilateral relationship between our great nations,” he said.
He added that he remains committed to supporting Nigerians affected by terrorism and insecurity.
“I remain committed to working to save the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ and for that matter, all Nigerians suffering from the instability wrought by terrorists throughout Nigeria. God bless you all,” he said.
Moore also confirmed that he met Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang. Plateau State is in north-central Nigeria, a region that has drawn attention over recurring insecurity and communal tensions.
He said their conversation focused on deepening cooperation and finding ways to tackle insecurity, including concerns about violence affecting Christian communities in the Middle Belt. He described the talks as “both substantive and forward-looking.”