Capitol Hill Prescribes New Nigeria Policy Prompting Shock and Awe
Shock to Cattle Barons but Awe among Persecuted Christians
By Luka Binniyat
(Kaduna) A U.S. Congressional Recommendation to remediate violence against Nigerian Christians has sparked celebration among Nigerian Christians but rebuke from Fulani Muslim leaders, TruthNigeria has learned.
As requested by President Donald Trump, Rep. Riley M. Moore (Rep. from West Virginia) formally submitted a congressional report urging far-reaching measures to curb violence against Nigerian Christians. His prescriptions included repeal of Islamic laws punishing blasphemy and conditioning aid based on improved care for displaced victims of terror.
Summarized report
In a press statement in Washington on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, Moore said that he joined members of the House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs at the White House to present what he described as a “comprehensive report” outlining concrete steps to “end the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and stem the rise of extremist violence in the region.”
The congressional report calls on the Administration to press Nigeria to repeal state-level Sharia criminal codes and blasphemy laws, arguing that they are used to target religious minorities, weaken constitutional protections, and fuel impunity and mob violence.
The letter from Moore strongly recommends that Nigeria remove Fulani tribal militias from confiscated, productive farmlands and ensure the safe, voluntary return of displaced communities.
According to the report, restoring land and security would reduce humanitarian dependence and boost agricultural productivity and economic development.
The document urges expanded U.S.–Nigeria security cooperation, including the request that Nigerian government shift arms purchases from Russian to American military equipment.
It proposes technical assistance to curb violence by armed Fulani-tribe militias, including demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration programs to address illicit arms trafficking while supporting safer communities and lawful self-defense for farmers.
It further recommends comprehensive counter-terrorism cooperation against Foreign Terrorist Organizations and measures to counter Chinese illegal mining operations which reportedly pay protection money to Fulani militias.
The report calls for strict implementation of the 2026 appropriations law, requiring measurable progress in law enforcement before further disbursement of federal funding.
Moore’s letter advocates programs to strengthen religious freedom, legal reforms, anti-money laundering systems, and terrorist financing disruption. Finally, it urges invoking CPC Presidential Directives, imposing sanctions, and maintaining visa restrictions on perpetrators of violence against Christians.
Christian Association of Nigeria Applauds Moore Report
“The body of Christ is very grateful to the Almighty God that he has chosen to bring in Donald Trump at this time when Nigerian Christians are undergoing its worst persecution in its history,” said Rev. Peter Adeyemi, National Spokesman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to TruthNigeria.
“We call on all lovers of freedom, justice and liberty all over the world to join us in celebrating the Riley More Report,” he said.
“We are very confident that President Donald Trump will also sign the ‘Nigerian Religious Accountability Bill” into law.
“We are going to convene a National Executive meeting very soon to apprise the progress made so far and show our appreciation to the American Congress and President Donald Trump,” he said.
CAN is the umbrella body of the Christians of Nigeria.
Middle Belt Hails Donald Trump
“The Middle Belt has always been very sure of the solidarity and love of the government of Donald Trump,” said Dr. Pogu Bitrus, the President of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) to TruthNigeria.
“The Riley report is a comprehensive blueprint for our security, social progress and economic advancement,” he said.
“We also believe that the US should also benefit while protecting us from the current annihilation that we are facing from the Fulani Islamists and other terrorist groups who are swarming on the Middle Belt like hungry vampires,” he added.
The Middle Belt of Nigeria, otherwise known as the “Christian Belt,” is made of approximately 300 ethnic groups covering a landmass of 115,880 square miles with an estimated population of 45 million who are mainly Christians.
Fulani Denounce Moore Report
However, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) has kicked against the report, saying it is unfair to its members and ethnic group.
“While we acknowledge the sovereign right of the United States to deliberate on religious freedom and human rights, we are concerned by narratives linking MACBAN with terrorism in the Riley More Report,” National President of MACBAN, Alhaji Baba Ngelzarma, said according to Punch.
“We categorically reject such insinuations as false, unfounded, and injurious to the integrity of a duly registered national association,” he said.
MACBAN was established in 1986 and is a legally registered corporate entity under Nigerian law, according to the MACBAN executive.
“For over four decades, we have operated openly with national, state, and local structures, and executives democratically elected every four years.
“We are recognized by federal and state governments as stakeholders in livestock development, pastoral welfare, and conflict mediation,” he went on to say.
“Our members contribute significantly to Nigeria’s protein supply and rural economy,” he said.
MACBAN’S press release warned that international blacklisting of legitimate actors could result in economic losses, trade disruption, and further marginalization of vulnerable communities.
Luka Binniyat writes on Politics and Conflict for TruthNigeria from Kaduna.
