A United States congressman, Riley McGowan Moore, has called for prayers for 25 kidnapped girls and the repose of their slain vice principal in an attack reported in Northern Nigeria. Moore made the comments in a post on X on Tuesday, describing the location as a “Christian enclave” and urging the Nigerian government to intensify efforts to curb violence.
Moore issued the statement following reports of the abduction circulating online. His characterisation of the community sparked swift correction from former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad, who disputed the claim and said the attack took place within a Muslim community.
In his post, the congressman wrote: “Please join me in praying for the 25 girls who have been kidnapped and for the repose of the soul of their vice principal who was killed. While we don’t have all the details on this horrific attack, we know that the attack occurred in a Christian enclave in Northern Nigeria. The Nigerian government must do more to end the rampant violence.”
Responding, Ahmad wrote: “While appreciating your concern and praying for our sisters, it is important to correct a crucial detail here, the attack did not occur in a Christian enclave. It happened within a Muslim community and the victims themselves were Muslims. This is precisely why we keep saying that even you, Americans, either do not understand the complexity of Nigeria’s insecurity challenges, or you are deliberately pushing unholy narratives that risk worsening our already fragile unity.”
The reply emphasized with Ahmad reiterating that the community affected and the victims were Muslims, contrary to Moore’s earlier description.
Ademide Adebayo
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