A U.S. congressman has issued a stern warning to Nigeria over the country’s worsening security crisis, saying Washington may step in if stronger action is not taken soon.
Riley Moore raised the alarm while speaking in an interview, reacting to the recent violence in Jos that occurred during Palm Sunday celebrations. The lawmaker described the incident as deeply disturbing, noting that dozens of people reportedly lost their lives while attending church services.
Moore said the attack was part of a worrying pattern of violence targeting religious gatherings in parts of Nigeria. According to him, findings from a security assessment on the situation have already been forwarded to the White House. The report, he explained, was compiled following an investigation into recent attacks across the country and included observations from his recent trip to Nigeria.
The congressman, who serves on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, also referenced another violent incident in Kaduna State involving a Christian wedding where several people were reportedly killed by armed militants.
While speaking on relations between both countries, Moore said the report contains proposals on how Nigeria and the United States can collaborate to tackle the growing security challenge. However, he warned that Washington may take further steps if the situation does not improve.
He pointed to the position of Donald Trump, saying the U.S. prefers to work jointly with Nigerian authorities but could consider stronger intervention if progress remains slow.
Moore also highlighted the level of American military support already present in Nigeria. According to him, about 200 U.S. military personnel are currently deployed to assist in training and supporting the Nigerian Armed Forces in closing operational gaps. He added that the U.S. has also deployed advanced surveillance drones, including the MQ-9 Reaper, to aid monitoring and security operations.
The lawmaker further recalled previous counterterrorism efforts, including military strikes aimed at extremist groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, which have long been active in parts of Nigeria.
Although he acknowledged that Nigerian authorities have taken some steps to address the crisis, Moore insisted the response has been too slow and urged the government to act more decisively to prevent further attacks.
He dismissed suggestions that the violence is too complicated to address, arguing that repeated attacks on churches and Christian gatherings show a clear pattern that must be confronted urgently.
