“What I witnessed during my trip to Nigeria was Heartbreaking” – U.S. Rep Moore

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

A United States Congressman, Rep. Riley M. Moore, has described the scale of violence he witnessed during a recent visit to Nigeria as deeply disturbing, recounting harrowing encounters with victims who lost entire families to brutal attacks.

Moore, in a statement posted on his official social media handle, said his trip exposed him to the human cost of insecurity in parts of the country, particularly among vulnerable communities affected by terrorism and communal violence.

“What I witnessed during my trip to Nigeria was heartbreaking,” the lawmaker said, saying that “I met a woman who witnessed all five of her children murdered in front of her.”

He further recounted meeting another victim whose losses spanned generations. “Another woman lost her husband and two daughters and had her unborn child killed,” Moore added.

The congressman said the personal testimonies reinforced the urgency of addressing Nigeria’s long-running security crisis, which has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions over the years.

Despite the grim accounts, Moore said his delegation held what he described as productive engagements with Nigerian government officials, expressing optimism about deeper cooperation between both countries.

“We did have positive conversations with the Nigerian government, and I believe we are close to a strategic security framework,” he said, noting that the discussions focused on tackling the Islamic State and Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East, as well as violent attacks in the Middle Belt.

Moore disclosed that he is preparing a report to be presented to the President of the United States, outlining practical steps for collaboration with Nigeria aimed at improving security and protecting affected communities.

“The report that I will present to the President outlines paths to work with the Nigerian government to end the slaughter of our brothers and sisters in Christ,” he said.

Nigeria continues to grapple with multiple security threats, including jihadist insurgency, banditry and communal violence, drawing increasing international attention and calls for coordinated global support to restore peace and stability.