A United States lawmaker, Rep. Riley Moore, has condemned what he described as a bloody week for Christians in Nigeria following deadly attacks and abductions linked to Islamic jihadists.

Moore, who represents West Virginia’s 2nd District in the U.S. Congress, made the remarks after three parishioners were killed and a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Asuwaye, was kidnapped alongside 10 others during an attack on Holy Trinity Parish in the Kafanchan Catholic Diocese.

In a post on X, the Congressman called for prayers for the safe release of the abducted priest and other victims, while urging the Nigerian government to take decisive action to end what he described as the genocide of Christians in the country.

“Please join me in praying for the safe return of Fr. Nathaniel Asuwaye of Holy Trinity Parish in Kaduna, who was kidnapped alongside 10 others,” Moore wrote. “Three of his parishioners were brutally murdered by radical Islamic jihadists during the attack.”

He added that the past week ranked among the most violent in recent history for Christians across Nigeria, stressing that the responsibility to protect all citizens rests squarely on the Nigerian government.

“The genocide of Christians must end, and it falls squarely on the Nigerian government’s shoulders to defend its citizens – all of its citizens – and end this violent persecution,” he said.

Moore recently visited Nigeria, where he held meetings with government officials, church leaders, humanitarian organisations and internally displaced persons (IDPs) to gain firsthand insight into the persecution of Christians.

According to him, Fulani militants and Islamic extremists have continued to target Christians even within IDP camps, particularly in Benue State. He disclosed this during an interview with Fox News, saying the attacks on displaced persons were ongoing and systematic.

The Congressman was part of a delegation sent by U.S. President Donald Trump on a fact-finding mission into reports of Christian persecution in Nigeria. During the visit, the delegation travelled to Benue State, where they met survivors of terrorist attacks.

Moore said the testimonies he heard were deeply disturbing, recounting stories of women who lost entire families, including unborn children, during violent assaults.

“It was really shocking,” he said. “The stories, the imagery—I’ve never witnessed anything like that in my life.” He described meeting victims whose families were murdered before their eyes, adding that there were countless similar accounts.

Moore concluded by appealing for continued prayers and international attention to what he described as a humanitarian and human rights crisis facing Christians in Nigeria.