A UNITED States Congressman, Rep. Riley Moore, has dismissed claims that there are ongoing serious discussions about the possible division of Nigeria, saying such an idea has not featured prominently in his engagements since he began raising concerns about the persecution of Christians in the country.
News Point Nigeria reports that Moore, who represents West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District, made this known after a recent visit to Nigeria, where he held several high-level meetings with government officials, church leaders, humanitarian organisations, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by insecurity.
In a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, the lawmaker said calls or suggestions about breaking up Nigeria had not been raised in any meaningful way during his discussions.
“In my discussions, the idea of dividing the country has not come up in any serious way,” Moore said.
He warned that promoting separatist sentiments would worsen insecurity and further endanger vulnerable communities, particularly Christians living in northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt.
“Efforts to embolden separatists hurt Christians in Nigeria especially in the North and Middle Belt,” he added.
According to the US lawmaker, a weakened or destabilised Nigeria would only create opportunities for extremist groups to expand their activities, making the country and the wider region more dangerous.
“A destabilised Nigeria would embolden terrorists and make Christians less safe in Nigeria and across the continent,” Moore said.
He reaffirmed his commitment to advocacy aimed at ending violence and restoring stability in the country.
“I remain committed to working to save the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ and for that matter, all Nigerians who are suffering from the instability caused by terrorists throughout Nigeria,” he stated.
Moore also disclosed that both countries had recently entered into a new security cooperation agreement, which he described as a significant step toward addressing insecurity and strengthening bilateral relations.
“The United States and Nigeria have just entered into a security cooperation agreement. This is an important step toward tackling violence and deepening the relationship between our two great nations,” he said.
The congressman has been a vocal critic of attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria. In December 2025, he publicly raised concerns about assaults on displaced persons in Benue State, alleging that armed extremists were targeting camps meant to provide safety for civilians fleeing violence.
Moore was part of a delegation sent by former US President Donald Trump on a fact-finding mission to Nigeria to investigate reports of religious persecution. During the visit, the delegation travelled to Benue State, where they met survivors of attacks and listened to firsthand accounts of displacement, loss, and trauma.
Reflecting on the visit, Moore said the testimonies he heard deeply affected him and reinforced the urgency of international action.
“The stories we heard were heartbreaking and difficult to process,” he said, adding that many victims had lost family members and livelihoods, while entire communities had been uprooted by violence.
He stressed that sustained international engagement, security cooperation, and humanitarian support remain critical to restoring peace and protecting civilians across Nigeria.