US Congressman Riley Moore has said he had a frank discussion with the Nigerian delegation, which he met in Washington on Wednesday, 19 November, over the redesignation of the African country as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
The Nigerian delegation, led by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, comprised the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Binaca Ojukwu; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Undiendeye.
Others are Idayat Hassan, Special Adviser to ONSA; Ambassador Ibrahim Babani, Director of Foreign Relations, ONSA; Ambassador Nuru Biu, Acting CDA, Embassy of Nigeria; and Paul Alabi, Political and Economic Section, Embassy of Nigeria.
The visit to the US by the delegation followed the October 31 redesignation of Nigeria as a CPC by President Donald Trump for alleged religious freedom violations.
President Trump had asked Mr Moore to investigate the situation in Nigeria and get back to him.
The Congressman, who announced the meeting in a social media post, said he had a frank, honest, and productive discussion with the Nigerian team.
According to him, the delegation shared the Nigerian government’s challenges and concerns regarding counterterrorism, security assistance, protection of vulnerable communities, and ongoing issues involving violence across Nigeria.
“Today, I had a frank, honest, and productive discussion with senior members of the Nigerian government regarding the horrific violence and persecution Christians face and the ongoing threat terrorism poses across Nigeria. 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 Savior 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 against their population, specifically Christians in the Northeast and Middle Belt regions of Nigeria.
“The Nigerian government has the chance to strengthen and deepen its relationship with the United States. President Trump and Congress are united and serious in our resolve to end the violence against Christians and disrupt and destroy terrorist groups within Nigeria. I urge the Nigerians to work with us in cooperation and coordination on this critical issue.”