US Congress Reaffirms America’s Commitment To Addressing Nigeria IDP Crisis

The United States House Appropriations Committee has reaffirmed America’s commitment to addressing religious persecution globally, with a focus on Nigeria, in a statement posted on its official X account on Wednesday.

“America will not look away as innocent lives are stolen. Directed by @POTUS, Appropriators led an on-the-ground mission to inform a report on Christian persecution in Nigeria and guide policy recommendations. Religious freedom and atrocity response are central to our NSRP bill,” the committee said.

The statement followed a visit to Nigeria by a delegation of US lawmakers, led by Congressman Riley Moore, under the direction of President Donald Trump.

The delegation’s mission, confirmed by Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, aimed to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation, enhance regional stability, and reinforce the strategic security partnership between Nigeria and the United States.

During his visit, Moore met with Tiv and Catholic leaders in Benue State and visited camps for internally displaced persons.

On X, he described the conditions he witnessed as harrowing.

“I met dozens of Christians who were driven from their homes and subjected to horrific violence and now live in IDP camps,” Moore wrote.

He recounted the testimonies of victims of attacks in Benue, saying, “They told harrowing stories that will remain with me for the rest of my life.

“One woman was forced to watch as they killed her husband and five children.

She and her unborn child barely escaped. Another woman told me her family was murdered in front of her and her baby was ripped from her womb. A man said his family was hacked to death in front of his eyes and his arm was permanently mangled.”

Moore estimated that more than 600,000 Christians are currently living in IDP camps in Benue State, a region long affected by violent clashes between farming communities and armed groups.

“These Christians should be able to live in their ancestral homeland without fear of genocidal Fulani,” he wrote, calling for greater international attention to the crisis.

Moore also met with traditional and religious leaders, including Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, Bishop Isaac Dugu, and James Ioruza, traditional ruler of the Tiv people.

He described these meetings as “an honour and deeply moving,” during which he discussed “the ongoing genocidal campaign by the Fulani in Benue State.”