Congressman Riley Moore says US-Nigeria security pact is near, focuses on terrorism, sectarian violence

A United States congressman, Riley Moore, has stated that the US and Nigeria are nearing a strategic security agreement aimed at combating terrorism and sectarian violence within Nigeria.

Moore made the announcement in a social media post, citing progress from recent discussions with Nigerian authorities.

His comments follow a congressional fact-finding visit to Nigeria led by Moore this week, prompted by allegations of genocide.

The delegation is expected to brief President Donald Trump by month’s end.

During their visit, the five-member congressional team traveled to Benue State under tight security, meeting with internally displaced persons, attack survivors, Christian and community leaders, and traditional rulers.

They also held talks with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser and Attorney General.

Moore stated that the proposed security framework would target extremist groups like Boko Haram and ISIS affiliates in the Northeast, as well as address violence in the Middle Belt.

He characterized the Middle Belt conflict as a “genocide against Christians by radical Fulani Muslims”—a claim the Nigerian government firmly denies, maintaining its security challenges are not religiously motivated.

Moore added that he and a House Appropriations Committee chairman are preparing a comprehensive report for President Trump, outlining ways to cooperate with Nigeria to “end the slaughter.”

He did not specify a timeline for finalizing the agreement or detail the extent of potential US involvement.

This development follows the US’s late October designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged persecution of Christians, a label the Nigerian government has contested.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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