The mass abduction of over 300 students and staff from St. Mary’s Catholic school in Niger State has drawn criticism from Congressman Riley M. Moore, who urged President Bola Tinubu to prioritize the protection of Nigerians by disarming “radical Muslim Fulani militants”.
The statement was made on Saturday via his official X handle, shortly after the Friday morning news about the assault and abduction of students of the St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri was announced. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has since confirmed the abduction of 303 students and 12 teachers.
As a father, seeing these attacks makes my stomach turn. The Nigerian government must disarm the radical Muslim Fulani militants terrorizing the Middle Belt – Moore
He expressed sadness over the recurring violence targeting educational institutions and Christian communities in the Middle Belt region.
Moore has been a leading voice in Washington advocating for attention to violence against Christians in Nigeria. During a recent Congressional hearing, he questioned why the Nigerian government has failed to disarm militants who often operate with heavy weapons, such as AK-47s, despite the country’s strict laws prohibiting private firearm ownership.
The Nigerian government has sought to manage the diplomatic crisis, with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu meeting with U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon to assure the U.S. of Nigeria’s commitment to addressing the violence and combating terrorist groups.
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