US Congressman Riley Moore, on his visit to Benue State, said he heard shocking stories of violence against Christian communities.

He met people living in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs), many of whom told him their families were killed and their homes destroyed.

Moore said one woman watched her husband and five children killed before she escaped. Another woman said her family was murdered and her baby was cut from her womb. A man told Moore his family was hacked to death and his arm was badly damaged. According to Moore, more than 600,000 Christians now live in IDP camps in Benue.

He urged the international community to pay more attention to the crisis, accusing armed Fulani groups of targeting Christian communities. Moore also met Tiv traditional leaders and Catholic bishops, saying they discussed what he called ongoing attacks in the region.

During his trip to Nigeria, Moore met with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and other top officials. They talked about terrorism in the North-East and violence in the Middle Belt, which Moore said are key issues for President Donald Trump. He praised Nigeria for rescuing more than 100 abducted Catholic schoolchildren.

Read Also:

US Congressman Raises Alarm Over Terrorism, Killings in Talks With Nigeria’s NSA

Moore said both countries agreed to improve security cooperation and noted the creation of a joint Nigeria–US task force, stressing that these talks must lead to real action.

The Nigerian government has denied claims that Christians are being systematically targeted, saying insecurity affects all groups. Meanwhile, the US recently redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged religious freedom violations, increasing diplomatic tensions.

Source: Punch