A member of the United States House of Representatives, Riley Moore, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian government for what he described as growing cooperation between both countries, especially on security matters. Moore made the comments after a meeting between a visiting US Congressional delegation and Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Moore said the conversation with Ribadu was productive and focused on practical steps that both countries can take to improve security across Nigeria. According to him, if the actions discussed are fully carried out, they will strengthen Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, protect vulnerable communities, and reduce attacks on Christians—an issue he said is of special concern to both US President Joe Biden and himself.
Nigeria continues to face serious security problems, including terrorism in the Northeast, banditry and mass kidnapping in the North-West, and ongoing clashes between farmers and herders in the Middle Belt. The Middle Belt region has especially drawn international attention due to repeated attacks on Christian communities.
Moore said the US delegation made it clear during the meeting that these issues require urgent action. He noted that the Nigerian government responded positively to the concerns raised, adding that both sides appear committed to working together more closely.
He revealed that discussions centred on improving intelligence sharing, strengthening ongoing military cooperation, and supporting community-level strategies to prevent violent attacks. According to him, these steps are important for protecting lives and rebuilding trust in affected regions.
One of the main points Moore raised was the recent rescue of 100 Catholic schoolchildren by Nigerian security forces. He described the operation as a “positive demonstration” of the government’s increasing response to the security crisis.
“I want to thank the Nigerian government and President Tinubu for rescuing the 100 innocent and precious Catholic school children,” he said. Moore added that the success of the operation shows the government’s commitment to President Tinubu’s emergency security measures, which were announced earlier in the year.
Kidnapping of schoolchildren has been a major challenge since the 2014 abduction of the Chibok girls by Boko Haram. In the years that followed, many schools in the North were attacked by armed groups seeking ransom payments. Rescue operations like this one are often seen as signs of progress in the broader fight against insecurity.
Moore disclosed that a joint task force between Nigeria and the United States has now been established to help deal with the country’s security challenges. He said the task force is an important step toward building a cooperative security framework that both nations can depend on.
“It is clear that there is an openness and willingness on the part of the Nigerian government to work with the United States to tackle these critical issues,” he said. “Now, that openness has to translate to concrete action.”
The lawmaker explained that the US government is ready to support Nigeria in areas such as counterterrorism, intelligence gathering, training of security personnel, and strengthening protection for at-risk communities.
Over the years, the US has offered various forms of military assistance to Nigeria, including the supply of Super Tucano aircraft and training programmes for Nigerian forces. The newly announced task force appears to be an expansion of this cooperation.
Moore said he believes progress is being made, even though he acknowledges there is still a long way to go. According to him, both countries now have a better understanding of their shared responsibilities in promoting peace and stability.
“There is much work still to be done, but things are moving in the right direction,” he said. He added that he looks forward to the next steps with the Nigerian government and hopes that the open dialogue will continue.
His comments suggest a renewed effort by the US to engage directly with Nigeria on security matters. Analysts believe this could mark a turning point in Nigeria–US relations, especially after several years of strained cooperation caused by disagreements over arms sales and human rights concerns.
Security remains one of the Tinubu administration’s top priorities. Since taking office, President Tinubu has repeatedly called for stronger international partnerships, saying Nigeria cannot solve its security problems alone. The formation of a joint task force with the US aligns with this goal.
The Middle Belt, where attacks on Christian communities have persisted for years, has been one of the regions most affected by insecurity. The involvement of US lawmakers like Moore may draw more global attention to the crisis and put additional pressure on both governments to act.
Moore ended his message on a personal note, offering prayers for Nigerians and expressing confidence in the country’s future.
“Peace be with you all. God bless the great people of Nigeria,” he said.