A United States Congressman, Riley Moore, has expressed concern over reports alleging threats against Christian communities in Nigeria, describing the situation as religious persecution.
Moore made the remarks in a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday night, reacting to claims linked to an Islamic State–affiliated group operating in the country.
According to the congressman, recent reports should put to rest debates over the motives behind attacks on Christian communities in parts of Nigeria.
“If there were any remaining doubts that Christians in Nigeria are being targeted for their faith in Jesus Christ, this should end that debate,” Moore wrote. “This isn’t about land usage, climate change, or any other explanation being offered. This is persecution for faith, plain and simple.”
Moore was responding to posts circulating on X earlier in the day which alleged that the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) had released an image showing a Christian village in Adamawa State engulfed in flames.
There has been no independent verification of the images or claims at the time of filing this report, and Nigerian authorities have yet to issue an official response.
Security concerns in Nigeria’s northeast, including Adamawa State, have persisted for years, with militant groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP carrying out attacks on civilian communities.