The United States and Nigeria are close to finalising a strategic security framework aimed at tackling terrorism and rising insecurity, particularly in the North-East and Middle Belt regions, according to US Congressman Riley Moore.
Moore disclosed this in a post on X following a fact finding mission to Nigeria, where he said discussions with Nigerian authorities showed progress toward a coordinated approach to counter extremist violence and address what he described as the killing of Christians in affected communities.
The US lawmaker, who led a delegation of Congressmen to Nigeria, said the proposed framework would focus on combating the activities of ISIS affiliated groups and Boko Haram in the North-East, while also addressing persistent attacks in the Middle Belt. His visit took him to Benue and Plateau states, where he said he witnessed the impact of violent extremism on civilians.
During the mission, Moore and his team held meetings with key Nigerian officials, including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi. He also met with Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, alongside religious and traditional leaders in both Benue and Plateau.
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Expressing confidence in the outcome of the engagements, Moore said discussions with Nigerian authorities were constructive and suggested that both countries were nearing agreement on a strategic framework to confront insecurity. He said the initiative would strengthen cooperation in addressing terror threats and protecting vulnerable communities.
Moore added that he would submit a detailed report of the mission to US President Donald Trump, outlining proposed steps for collaboration with Nigeria to curb violent extremism. According to him, the report would highlight pathways to ending attacks on civilians and restoring security in troubled regions.
Recounting some of the stories he encountered during the visit, Moore described the situation as deeply distressing. He said he met a woman who watched all five of her children killed before her, while another lost her husband, two daughters, and an unborn child during attacks.
The comments have drawn renewed international attention to Nigeria’s security crisis, particularly in the North-East and Middle Belt, where insurgency, banditry, and communal violence have claimed thousands of lives in recent years.
