United States Congressman Riley Moore has urged Nigeria to intensify efforts in tackling terrorism and insecurity, stressing that while progress has been made, much work remains to be done. Photo credit:
US Congressman Says Nigeria Must Do More to Tackle
Security Challenges
🇺🇸 A Strong
Message from Washington
During a recent visit to Abuja, Congressman Riley Moore
met with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to discuss
the country’s worsening security situation. Moore highlighted concerns over terrorist
activity in the North‑East and deadly attacks in the Middle Belt,
issues he described as priorities for both himself and President Donald Trump.
In a statement shared on X, Moore acknowledged Nigeria’s
willingness to cooperate with the United States but emphasized that “openness
must translate into concrete action.” He noted that while steps are being
taken, Nigeria must accelerate its response to protect vulnerable communities
and dismantle terrorist networks.
Key Security Concerns
The Congressman’s remarks focused on several pressing
issues:
- Terrorism
in the North‑East: Insurgent groups continue to destabilize
communities, threatening lives and livelihoods.
- Killings
in the Middle Belt: Targeted violence, particularly against
Christians, remains a major concern for U.S. officials.
- Banditry
and Abductions: Kidnappings and rural insecurity persist despite
government interventions.
Moore praised Nigeria’s recent rescue of 100 abducted
Catholic schoolchildren in Niger State, describing it as a positive sign of
improved emergency response under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
US–Nigeria Cooperation
The discussions also highlighted the establishment of a joint
task force between Nigeria and the United States, aimed at strengthening
counter‑terrorism operations and improving intelligence sharing. Moore
expressed optimism that this partnership could help stabilize Nigeria if fully
implemented.
He stressed that goodwill alone is not enough:
Nigeria must translate diplomatic cooperation into sustained, practical
action to restore peace and security nationwide.
Balancing Progress with
Urgency
While acknowledging that “things are moving in the right
direction,” Moore insisted that Nigeria’s security challenges remain far
from resolved. He urged the government to:
- Implement
agreed‑upon counter‑terrorism measures quickly.
- Strengthen
collaboration between military, police, and intelligence agencies.
- Prioritize
protection of vulnerable communities in conflict‑prone regions.
- Ensure
transparency and accountability in security operations.
Final Thoughts
Congressman Moore’s statement underscores a critical
reality: Nigeria’s fight against insecurity requires more than isolated
victories. The rescue of abducted children is encouraging, but lasting
peace will only come through consistent, nationwide action against terrorism,
banditry, and communal violence.
As Nigeria deepens its partnership with the United States,
the challenge now is to ensure that international cooperation translates
into real security for all Nigerians.
