U.S. Congressman Riley Moore has expressed concern over what he described as escalating threats against Christians in Nigeria, warning that recent developments point unmistakably to religious persecution.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Moore referenced viral reports allegedly linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), claiming the group had declared Christians in Nigeria legitimate targets.
“If there were any remaining doubts that Christians in Nigeria are being targeted for their faith, this should end that debate,” Moore wrote, insisting the situation could not be explained away by land disputes or climate-related issues.
Moore’s comments followed widely shared posts claiming ISWAP had circulated an image of a burning village in Adamawa State, accompanied by a warning urging Christians to convert to Islam or pay a jizyah tax to avoid bloodshed.
Condemning the threats, Moore added that Christians would “not bend the knee to anyone but Christ.”
His remarks came just days after U.S. airstrikes on suspected terrorist enclaves in Sokoto State. According to official statements, the operations were part of ongoing security cooperation with Nigeria and targeted Islamic State-linked fighters believed to have infiltrated from the Sahel.
The strikes were carried out using MQ-9 Reaper drones, with Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirming the operation.
Minister of Information Mohammed Idris said intelligence indicated the locations served as assembly points for extremists.
Authorities reported no civilian casualties, though debris from the strikes fell in parts of Sokoto and Kwara States.
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The killing of anyone, Christian or Muslim is reprehensible and needs to stop in Nigeria.