"The Idea of Dividing the Country is Not Being Considered": Congressman Riley Moore

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Riley Moore 

United States Congressman Riley Moore has dismissed the notion of balkanizing Nigeria, stating that the idea of dividing the country has not surfaced as a serious consideration in high-level diplomatic discussions. Speaking following a rigorous fact-finding mission, the Congressman emphasized that the United States remains committed to a stable and united Nigeria, asserting that separatist movements often inadvertently harm the very communities they claim to represent. 

He warned that any vacuum created by national division would likely be exploited by terrorist organizations, further destabilizing the entire African continent.

​The Congressman’s visit, which he described as one of the most "disturbing" of his career, focused heavily on the rampant persecution of Christians and the plight of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Middle Belt and Northern regions. Moore reported that over 7,000 Christians have been martyred in 2025 alone, with thousands more suffering from systematic violence, displacement, and the destruction of churches. His mission included firsthand visits to IDP camps and meetings with religious leaders to gather evidence for a comprehensive briefing to be presented to the U.S. executive branch.

​"I remain committed to working to save the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ—and for that matter, all Nigerians—suffering from the instability wrought by terrorists," Moore stated, underscoring that the focus must remain on security and restorative justice rather than political separation. He highlighted that the United States is ready to coordinate more closely with the Nigerian government, particularly following the redesignation of Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" (CPC). This status provides the diplomatic levers necessary to push for tangible steps in protecting vulnerable communities and ending the culture of impunity for extremist groups.

​As a new security cooperation agreement between the U.S. and Nigeria nears completion, the international community is closely watching how these findings will shape future bilateral relations. Congressman Moore's stance reinforces the position that Nigeria's strength lies in its unity, provided the government takes decisive action to stop the targeted killings and ensure religious freedom for all citizens. The focus now shifts to the implementation of strategic reforms and the safe return of millions of displaced persons to their ancestral homelands.