US Congressman Riley Moore sharply condemned the recent terror attacks in Nigeria’s Kwara State, where terrorists slaughtered over 160 people in Woro and Nuku villages, declaring that the “bloodbath” would face accountability from the United States.
Moore, a Republican from West Virginia, highlighted the violence in a statement on X, emphasizing that President Donald Trump remains committed to protecting persecuted Christians in Nigeria.
He described the past week as particularly bloody for Christians, citing reports of hundreds killed, a priest kidnapped along with 10 parishioners, and three slain.
“A contact with sources on the ground in Nigeria described the last week as a ‘bloodbath’ for Christians,” Moore stated.
The attacks unfolded on February 3, 2026, when terrorists stormed the communities, killing residents who rejected their extremist version of Sharia law.
Survivors recounted how the assailants set homes ablaze, looted shops, and abducted dozens of women and children.
Local leaders, including the village chief of Woro, Umar Bio Salihu, reported that terrorists murdered two of his sons and kidnapped his wife and three daughters during the hours-long rampage.
While some accounts, including Moore’s, framed the violence as targeting Christians with reports of church burnings and immolations,
independent sources indicated that the majority of victims were Muslims who refused to join the jihadists.
Nevertheless, community leaders confirmed that a small percentage—around 5% to 10%—of those killed were Christians.
The perpetrators, linked to the Lakurawa group with ties to ISIS or Boko Haram, demanded allegiance to their radical ideology a month prior, according to residents.
In response, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu swiftly deployed an army battalion to launch Operation Savannah Shield, aiming to crush the terrorists and safeguard vulnerable areas.
Meanwhile, the United States expressed solidarity, praising Tinubu’s rapid action and urging continued efforts to protect civilians.
Moore’s remarks tie into broader US concerns over religious freedom in Nigeria, following Trump’s designation of the country as a “Country of Particular Concern” in 2025.
He has introduced resolutions condemning the persecution and advocated for decisive measures, including military support, to halt the threats from groups like Boko Haram and Fulani extremists.
“The United States will not stay silent while our brothers and sisters in Christ suffer,” Moore asserted in prior statements.
However, Nigerian officials and analysts emphasize that the violence affects both Muslims and Christians without clear distinction in many cases, rejecting claims of targeted genocide.
As investigations continue, communities in Kwara mourn their losses, with mass burials underscoring the human toll.
International observers call for unified action to address the overlapping insurgencies plaguing the region.
This incident adds to ongoing tensions, prompting renewed dialogue between US and Nigerian authorities on security cooperation.
