A United States congressman, Riley Moore, has applauded the Federal Government for successfully securing the release of 100 pupils kidnapped from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, located in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
Moore, who serves in the US House of Representatives, expressed his approval in a message posted on X on Monday. He described the development as a reassuring indication of President Bola Tinubu’s efforts in addressing the nation’s growing security concerns.
In his message, he stated that he wished to appreciate the Nigerian authorities and “@officialABAT” for rescuing the “100 innocent and precious Catholic school children”, noting that the outcome represents a promising reflection of the administration’s response to insecurity, as well as evidence of commitment to the security-focused emergency declaration issued by President Tinubu.
He disclosed that a joint task force has now been formed between the US State Department and the Nigerian Government to jointly tackle issues connected to alleged persecution of Christians in the country. According to him, the new initiative stands as a meaningful indication that a cooperative security partnership is becoming achievable. Moore added that the urgency expressed by the United States regarding its concerns was met with a positive reaction.
He further remarked that the Nigerian Government has demonstrated a willingness to collaborate closely with the United States. He noted that substantial measures and proposals were discussed extensively, and if properly carried out, they would improve safety across the country, disrupt terrorist groups in the northeast and curb the killing of Christians, which he described as a specific concern for both “@POTUS” and himself, particularly in the Middle Belt region.
Moore, however, emphasized that although the atmosphere of cooperation is encouraging, it must translate into visible actions. He maintained that considerable work still lies ahead, even though the current direction appears more promising.
His visit to Nigeria follows months marked by tense exchanges between Nigerian and US officials concerning claims of Christian persecution. The visit also aligns with the outcome of earlier high-level security deliberations held between Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, in Washington last November. Those discussions occurred on the same day the US Congress heard testimonies regarding accusations of Christian persecution in Nigeria.
What you should know
The US commendation comes at a time when both countries are strengthening their collaboration on security matters, particularly around terrorism and alleged religious persecution.
Riley Moore’s remarks reflect Washington’s renewed interest in Nigeria’s internal security challenges and the recent rescue operation in Niger State. His visit builds on earlier security engagements between senior officials of both nations, signaling a growing push toward joint strategies aimed at stabilizing conflict-prone regions, especially the northeast and Middle Belt.
While the release of the abducted pupils has drawn global attention, both sides acknowledge that deeper reforms and stronger action are still required.
