By Obinna Uballa
A member of the United States Congress, Riley M. Moore, on Friday, called on the Nigerian government to step up protection for Christians following a deadly attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Adamawa State.
The terrorists reportedly killed 27 Christians and set at least 10 houses ablaze during an attack carried out in February in the Kirshinga area of the state.
Security analyst Brant Philip, who tracks militant activities across West and East Africa, disclosed in a post on X that ISWAP fighters claimed responsibility for the assault and issued fresh threats to Christian communities.
According to Philip, the group declared that Christians in Nigeria must either pay the jizyah tax, convert to Islam, or face death – a demand the militants described as a “fair deal.”
Reacting to the development, Moore condemned the killings, warning that Christians in Nigeria were increasingly being targeted because of their faith.
In a post on his X account, the lawmaker said extremist violence against Christians must be confronted decisively.
“Christians continue to be explicitly targeted for their faith in Nigeria,” Moore wrote. “ISIS-West Africa is slaughtering Christians and telling other Christians they must convert or die.”
Moore added that the issue had already been raised in a report submitted to the White House, stressing that continued American support for Nigeria’s security efforts could depend on stronger action by Abuja to protect vulnerable communities.
“In our report to the White House, we made it clear that increased American support is contingent on the Nigerian government doing more to defend Christians,” he stated.
“Now is the time for Abuja to step up.”
The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents linked to ISWAP and other extremist groups operating in parts of northeastern Nigeria, where communities have faced repeated assaults, kidnappings and destruction of property.
