A United States lawmaker, Mary Miller, has said that radical Islam is responsible for the killing of thousands of Christians in Nigeria and other parts of the world.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Miller stated that “radical Islam is responsible for the mass slaughter of thousands of Christians in Nigeria and around the world,” adding that the ideology has no place in the United States.
Her remarks come amid increasing pressure from US lawmakers on the Nigerian government over what they describe as widespread violence against Christians. The United States government has previously indicated it would take action over what has been referred to as a “genocide against Christians” in parts of Nigeria.
The position was echoed by the US House Committee on Appropriations, which commented on a post by Congressman Riley Moore, who disclosed that he was in Benue State to meet Christians displaced by violence. Moore said he visited internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and listened to accounts of attacks that forced families from their homes.
According to Moore, displaced persons in the camps recounted incidents in which family members were killed during attacks on their communities. He said more than 600,000 Christians are currently living in IDP camps in Benue State alone, adding that those affected should be able to live safely in their ancestral homes.
Responding to Moore’s post, the House Committee on Appropriations said the United States would not ignore the loss of innocent lives. The committee noted that, under the direction of the US President, appropriators undertook an on-the-ground mission to inform a report on Christian persecution in Nigeria and to guide policy recommendations, stressing that religious freedom and atrocity prevention remain central to US policy considerations.
Earlier, Moore had raised concerns about Nigeria’s worsening security situation following a meeting with the country’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. He said discussions focused on terrorism and ongoing killings, particularly in the North-East and Middle Belt regions.
While acknowledging some progress, Moore said Nigeria still faced significant security challenges. He expressed hope that continued engagement between the US and Nigerian governments would lead to improved security across the country and an end to attacks on civilians.
