US Congressman Visits Benue, Calls for Global Action on IDP Crisis in Nigeria

United States Congressman Riley Moore has drawn attention to the plight of displaced Christian communities in Benue State, Nigeria, where over 600,000 people now live in camps following violent attacks on their villages.

During his visit, Moore heard harrowing accounts from survivors, including a woman who saw her husband and five children killed, barely escaping with her unborn child, and another whose baby was reportedly taken from her womb during an attack.

He met with Tiv and Catholic leaders, including Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, Bishop Isaac Dugu, and traditional ruler James Ioruza, to discuss the ongoing violence in the state.

Moore also held talks with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and other senior officials, focusing on terrorism in the North-East and killings in the Middle Belt. He praised the Nigerian government and President Bola Tinubu for rescuing over 100 abducted Catholic schoolchildren.

The congressman said that while a US-Nigeria joint task force has been established, “there is much work still to be done” to protect vulnerable communities. Ribadu confirmed the US delegation’s visit, highlighting counter-terrorism cooperation and efforts to strengthen strategic security ties.

The visit comes amid tensions after the Trump administration redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged religious freedom violations, which the Nigerian government says affects all citizens, not only Christians.