By Onilede Titi Faith
A United States lawmaker, Riley Moore, has drawn criticism for his remarks on the abduction of 25 schoolgirls from Government Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State’s Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Moore condemned the attack and called for prayers for the victims, noting the death of the school’s vice principal.
He described the incident as occurring in a “Christian enclave” and urged the Nigerian government to do more to address insecurity.
His comments sparked pushback from Nigerians, including Bashir Ahmad, former Senior Special Assistant on New Media to the late President Buhari. Ahmad clarified that the attack occurred in a Muslim community and that the victims were Muslim.
He warned that Moore’s description could fuel divisive narratives.
The attack took place early Monday when armed bandits invaded the school, killing the vice principal, injuring staff, and abducting 25 students.
The Federal Government has pledged to secure the safe return of the girls and expressed solidarity with the affected families.
Moore’s remarks come amid ongoing tensions between Nigerian officials and some US lawmakers over claims of “Christian genocide” in parts of the country, which Nigerian authorities have repeatedly dismissed.
