U.S. Congressman Riley Moore has lauded recent American airstrikes in Northwest Nigeria, characterizing the military action as a decisive turning point in the effort to protect Christian communities and stabilize the country’s deteriorating security landscape.

Writing on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday, Moore asserted that the strikes, conducted in collaboration with Nigerian authorities, represent the beginning of a larger strategy to end the “slaughter of Christians” and resolve the broader security crisis. Moore emphasized that the operation fulfills President Donald Trump’s previous warnings, stating that the administration’s resolve regarding the protection of religious minorities should not be underestimated.

This legislative support follows confirmation from U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth that the Department of War remains prepared to act, noting that the operation was carried out with the full cooperation of the Nigerian government. Hegseth reiterated that the President’s directive from last month was clear: the targeted killing of innocent Christians must cease. Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs corroborated this, framing the strikes as part of a formal security partnership aimed at eradicating violent extremism.

Congressman Moore’s strong stance is informed by a recent five-member fact-finding mission he led to Nigeria. During the visit, the delegation traveled to Benue State to meet with survivors, displaced persons, and religious leaders. Moore described the accounts of violence he encountered as “harrowing,” specifically citing instances where families were decimated in what he characterized as a deliberate attempt to drive Christians from their ancestral lands.

The delegation also held high-level meetings with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi to discuss the country’s security architecture. Following Nigeria’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern” regarding religious freedom, President Trump has tasked Moore and House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole with delivering a comprehensive report and policy recommendations by the end of the month.