The tragic mass abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State has drawn international condemnation, with a US lawmaker publicly challenging the Nigerian government to intensify its efforts to curb the rising tide of banditry and violence.
Representative Riley Moore, an influential voice in the US Congress, condemned the Monday attack on the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS), Maga, which also resulted in the death of the school’s Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Yakubu Makuku.
In a statement shared on social media on Tuesday, Representative Moore urged urgent action and prayer for the victims.
Rep. Riley Moore: “Please join me in praying for the 25 girls who have been kidnapped and for the repose of the soul of their vice principal, who was killed… The Nigerian government must do more to end the rampant violence.”
This condemnation reflects the persistent concern among certain US political circles regarding security in Nigeria, particularly the vulnerability of communities in the Northwest and North-Central regions.
However, Moore’s remarks sparked controversy due to his claim that the attack occurred in a “Christian enclave in Northern Nigeria.” This assertion was immediately disputed by Nigerian political commentators, who stated that the Maga community is predominantly Muslim and the victims themselves are Muslims.
This diplomatic exchange highlights the renewed friction between US officials and the Nigerian government over the framing of the country’s complex security challenges. Nigerian officials consistently argue that banditry and terrorism target citizens indiscriminately, regardless of religious affiliation, and that the “Christian persecution” narrative risks worsening the country’s already fragile unity.
Despite the disagreement on the narrative, the condemnation adds to the pressure on the Nigerian Army Chief of Staff, who has already ordered troops to launch a “fight day and night” mission to secure the girls’ immediate release.
