A US lawmaker’s Middle Belt security appeal urges Nigeria to confront armed groups after mass kidnappings, warning of possible US action

United States Congressman Riley Moore has issued a Middle Belt security appeal to the Federal Government following the kidnapping of more than 300 children and 12 teachers from St Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State on Friday.

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In a statement posted on his X handle on Saturday, Moore condemned the attack and said the scale of abductions in the Middle Belt is deeply disturbing.

He wrote that, as a father, the violence made his stomach turn and urged Nigerian authorities to intensify action against the armed groups he accused of driving the unrest.

Moore alleged that radical elements were targeting Christian communities and claimed the situation had escalated to what he described as genocide.

He insisted that the Nigerian government must urgently confront those responsible and called for stronger cooperation between Abuja and Washington to stem the killings and kidnappings.

He warned that continued violence could trigger a response from the US administration, noting that the American President had previously signalled willingness to act if the insecurity persists.

Moore said the human tragedy unfolding in the Middle Belt could no longer be ignored.

His remarks came amid a surge in abductions and violent attacks across northern Nigeria. On Monday, gunmen invaded Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, and kidnapped at least 24 students.

The incidents have fuelled growing fears over the safety of schoolchildren and vulnerable communities.

On Wednesday in Washington, Moore met with a Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to discuss counterterrorism efforts.

He described the meeting as frank and productive, saying it focused on protecting at-risk groups and improving security cooperation.

The delegation included senior government and security officials such as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Ojukwu, the Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, the Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, the Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede and the Chief of Defence Intelligence Lt Gen Emmanuel Undiendeye.

Their visit followed comments by the US President, who recently said Christianity faced an existential threat in Nigeria and warned that inaction from Abuja could prompt a swift and forceful American response.

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Meanwhile, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris said on Channels TV’s Politics Today that the Nigerian delegation was working to correct what he called misleading narratives about religious persecution and the country’s broader security situation.