A member of the United States House of Representatives, Riley M. Moore, has alleged that Christians in Nigeria are being deliberately targeted for their faith by Islamic extremist groups operating in parts of the country.
In a statement shared on social media, Moore said recent developments had reinforced concerns that violence against Christian communities in Nigeria is driven by religious persecution rather than disputes over land use, climate change or other socio-economic factors often cited in public discourse.
According to the lawmaker, extremist groups linked to the Islamic State are reportedly issuing threats to Christian populations, offering them what he described as an opportunity to “spare their blood” if they convert to Islam. He added that many Christians had refused to renounce their faith despite the threats.
Moore’s comments followed an earlier post by a security analyst, Brant Philip, who claimed that the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) released an image showing a Christian village in Adamawa State allegedly set ablaze. The post further alleged that ISWAP had declared Christians in Nigeria as legitimate targets, while demanding conversion to Islam or the payment of a jizyah tax.
The US lawmaker said the situation amounted to persecution of Christians and called for sustained international attention. He also stated that the United States government, under President Joe Biden, was continuing to work with the Nigerian authorities to counter violent extremism and protect vulnerable communities.
Nigeria has for years battled insurgency and violent attacks by extremist groups, particularly in the North-East, with thousands killed and many communities displaced. The Federal Government has repeatedly maintained that it is committed to addressing insecurity and protecting citizens regardless of religious or ethnic background.
