By Spear News
A visiting United States congressman has lauded the rescue of 100 abducted Catholic schoolchildren as proof of President Bola Tinubu’s “increasing response” to Nigeria’s security challenges, while confirming the establishment of a crucial US-Nigeria joint task force.
The commendation from Representative Riley Moore comes after weeks of strained dialogue between both nations over allegations of Christian persecution, signalling a potential thaw in diplomatic tensions focused on security cooperation.
Moore, who met with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, in Abuja, made the statements in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday.
His visit follows high level security talks last month in Washington between Ribadu and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
“I want to thank the Nigerian government and @officialABAT for rescuing the 100 innocent and precious Catholic school children. This is a positive demonstration of the government’s increasing response to the security situation and shows commitment to the emergency declaration laid out by President Tinubu”, Moore wrote.
The pupils were kidnapped from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara LGA of Niger State, before their recent rescue.
In a significant disclosure, the US lawmaker confirmed the formation of a joint task force, an action proposed during a contentious US congressional hearing where officials levelled allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria. Jonathan Pratt, a senior US State Department official for African Affairs, had pledged to work with Abuja on such a measure.
“There were concrete steps and actions discussed at length, that if fully executed, I believe will enhance security across the country for all Nigerians, disrupt and destroy terrorist organizations in the northeast and stop the killing of Christians – particularly in the Middle Belt of the country,” Moore stated.
He described the rescue and the new bilateral framework as a “great example” that a cooperative security future is achievable, noting that Nigeria’s government positively received the US’s “sense of urgency” on its concerns.
While striking an optimistic tone, Moore emphasised that dialogue must lead to tangible results. “It is clear that there is an openness and willingness on the part of the Nigerian government to work with the US,” he said. “Now, that openness has to translate to concrete action. There is much work still to be done, but things are moving in the right direction.”
The congressman concluded by expressing his anticipation for continued open dialogue and next steps with the Nigerian government.
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