U.S. Congressman Riley Moore recently stirred debate by saying that “breaking up Nigeria will be one of the options to create a safe zone for Christians.” He also claimed that “half Muslims, half Christians have never worked and will never work,” and that Islam in Nigeria would not accept equality, leaving Christians subjugated.
The comments reflect growing international concerns about Nigeria’s ongoing insecurity. A Nigerian situation is complex, involving some militant groups, bandits, herder-landowner conflict, kidnappings, and a historical rivalry in the region.
Nigeria has been embroiled in violent conflict for many years around the country. The militant group Boko Haram, as well as its breakaway faction ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province), has been active in the Northeast, with ongoing kidnapping, bombing attacks, as well as attacks on villages, towns, and schools. Innocents, both Christians and Muslim civilians, have been killed or forced from their homes.
In the central and north central zone, states like Benue and Plateau have experienced attacks by armed robbers and herdsmen on farming communities. The conflicts have been occasioned by land and grazing rights but have also developed a sectarian motive affecting Christians.
Analysts note that the security challenges faced by Nigeria are not of a religious nature but rather consist of a number of issues, including economic challenges, governance, competition for resources, corruption, environmental pressures, as well as the proliferation of weapons, which have penetrated into the countryside.
The United States government has repeatedly expressed concern about violence in Nigeria. In late 2025, the U.S. designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for religious freedom, citing widespread killings of Christians. Washington said it could cut aid or take action if the situation did not improve.
U.S. lawmakers have also held hearings on the issue of insecurity and kidnappings, particularly in areas like Benue State where tens of thousands of Nigerians — including many Christians — have been driven into internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.
However, Nigerian officials have pushed back against foreign claims that the crisis is mainly religious. They argue that bandits, extremists, and criminal gangs target all citizens, both Muslims and Christians, and that closing religious divides is critical to peace.
Nigerian religious and community leaders have also appealed for calm and unity amid the violence. It has been argued by some quarters that to characterise the war simply in Muslim versus Christian terms could exacerbate already existing tensions and impede the process for establishing peaceful conditions.
Leaders and analysts point out that the situation concerns millions and that a vast number of Nigerians across all religions are looking for safety and economic prospects. They clarify that peace as well as religious tolerance are not as crucial for the country as changes in the political structures and economic solutions.
The current security challenges facing Nigeria have their roots in pre-existent concerns that are not associated with religious affiliation. These pre-existent concerns include a glaring display of economic and social inequality, the failure of the state apparatus, a high level of unemployment among the youth, poor governance at the grassroots levels, and the proliferation of non-state armed groups over the years. Experts say solving these problems will require both national leadership and broad cooperation with regional and international partners.
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While comments about partition and religious domination capture headlines, many Nigerians fear that such solutions could worsen instability rather than fix the underlying problems. What most communities want, leaders say, is better security, opportunity, and unity not division.
