US Congressman Riley Moore has thanked Donald Trump for ordering the Pentagon to prioritise the protection of Nigerian Christians from ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria).
In a statement posted on Wednesday via his official X account, Rep. Moore praised President Trump for authorising a joint US-Nigerian operation that reportedly killed ISIS’s global second-in-command, Abu-Bilal al-Munuki.
Moore’s appreciation followed comments by US Secretary of zwae Pete Hegseth during a White House meeting, where he explained how the operation and intelligence gathering contributed to the deaths of hundreds of ISIS fighters linked to attacks on Christians and threats to the US homeland.
“There’s a lot of things we do that the media pays attention to, and a lot of things that the president empowers the Department to do on behalf of the American people, that he deserves great credit for,” Hegseth said.
Reacting, Moore stated: “Thank you, President Trump, for defending our persecuted Christian brothers and sisters in Nigeria who have faced unspeakable slaughter and martyrdom at the hands of radical Islamic terrorists.
“President Trump’s steadfast leadership paved the way for these successful strikes on ISIS, including the mission that killed Abu-Bilal al-Munuki, ISIS’ number two globally.
“This strike sent a clear message to the world — those who target innocent Christians will be hunted down and brought to justice. Never test @POTUS’s resolve.”
Nigeria’s Christian persecution crisis involves terrorist groups and affiliates such as ISWAP, Boko Haram, and armed Fulani militants, whose attacks have killed thousands and displaced millions, leading to increased counterterrorism cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.
The killing of al-Munuki earlier this month, alongside several of his top lieutenants during a strike on his compound in the Lake Chad Basin, highlights the growing capacity and willingness of Nigeria and the United States to confront terrorist organisations.
Al-Munuki was regarded as a high-profile terrorist with longstanding involvement in ISIS and Boko Haram operations. He reportedly rose to become Head of the General Directorate of States in February 2026, making him one of the world’s most influential terrorist figures.
He allegedly directed operations across West Africa that resulted in countless civilian deaths and the destruction of homes and livelihoods. Reports also linked him to the deployment of fighters to countries such as Libya between 2015 and 2016 to expand ISIS influence across Africa.
The operation against al-Munuki reflects the deepening commitment of Nigeria and the United States to collaborate in dismantling terrorist networks. The mission reportedly involved strategic support, intelligence sharing, and coordinated joint operations.
