A United States lawmaker, Riley M. Moore, has called on the Nigerian government to strengthen protection for Christians following a deadly attack by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Adamawa State.
The militants reportedly killed 27 Christians and set at least 10 houses ablaze during an assault on Kirshinga community in northeastern Nigeria in February.
Details of the attack were shared by terrorism researcher Brant Philip, who tracks insurgent activities across West and East Africa. In a post on X, Philip said the militant group claimed responsibility for the attack and issued threats to Christians in the country.
According to him, ISWAP fighters said Christians must either pay jizyah - a tax historically imposed on non-Muslims - convert to Islam, or face death, a demand the group described as a “fair deal.”
Reacting to the report, Moore condemned the killings and warned that Christians in Nigeria continue to face persecution because of their religious beliefs.
“Christians continue to be explicitly targeted for their faith in Nigeria,” the congressman wrote in a post on X.
“ISIS-West Africa is slaughtering Christians and telling other Christians they must convert or die.”
Moore added that the issue had been raised in a report submitted to the White House, stressing that greater American assistance to Nigeria would depend on the country taking stronger action to safeguard Christian 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 said.
“Now is the time for Abuja to step up.”
The latest incident underscores the continuing security challenges in Nigeria’s northeast, where extremist groups such as ISWAP have carried out repeated attacks on communities, security forces and religious groups.
Security analysts warn that the persistent violence by insurgent groups continues to threaten stability in the region, as communities remain vulnerable to raids, killings and destruction of property.
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