A U.S. lawmaker, Riley Moore, has accused former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, of being complicit in the persecution and killings of Christians in Nigeria, linking the violence to his introduction of Sharia law in the state.
Moore made the allegation in response to Kwankwaso’s comments opposing reports of a possible U.S. military intervention in Nigeria. Writing on social media, Moore challenged the former governor’s record, saying:
“Governor, do you care to comment on your complicity in the deaths of Christians? You instituted Sharia law and signed legislation making so-called blasphemy punishable by death.”
Kwankwaso, who served as Kano State governor when Sharia law was introduced in November 2000, had earlier urged the U.S. to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty, describing the country’s insecurity as a multifaceted issue not defined by religion or ethnicity.
“The insecurity we face does not distinguish based on religious, ethnic, or political beliefs,” Kwankwaso said, calling on Washington to assist Nigeria through technology and diplomacy rather than military threats.
He also advocated for appointing special envoys to strengthen Nigeria–U.S. relations and emphasized unity among Nigerians.
However, Moore stated that he would push for an investigation into what he described as a “genocide against Christians” in Nigeria. In an interview with Fox News, he revealed that former U.S. President Donald Trump would soon receive policy recommendations on how to respond.
Trump had earlier posted on Truth Social that Nigeria was being redesignated as a “Country of Particular Concern,” accusing “radical Islamists” of killing thousands of Christians. He warned that the U.S. could consider military options if Nigeria failed to act.
In response, the Nigerian government rejected allegations of genocide, maintaining that it remains committed to protecting the rights of all citizens. President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees religious freedom and emphasized ongoing efforts to promote peace and coexistence.
“The portrayal of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality,” Tinubu said.
