Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Pierre Antoine
In a development that has rattled diplomatic circles and intensified debate on insecurity in West Africa, United States Congressman Riley Moore has publicly accused operators linked to illegal Chinese mining activities in Nigeria of financing extremist violence against Christian communities — a claim that has drawn both political support in the United States and firm rejection from the governments of Nigeria and China.
Moore made the accusation during a widely-broadcast interview with Fox News, days after presenting to the White House a two-page congressional report on what he and several US lawmakers describe as religious persecution and widespread killings of Christians in Nigeria. In that interview, the lawmaker alleged that illegal rare earth mineral mining operations connected to Chinese interests in Nigeria are not just extractive enterprises but also conduits for funding radical Islamist militant groups that terrorise local populations, disproportionately affecting Christians. He asserted that revenue from these illicit mining operations has been used to pay “protection money to radical Islamic terrorists who use that money to finance their operations to persecute and kill our brothers and sisters in Christ,” a claim he said “cannot continue.”
Moore’s comments were part of a broader effort by a bipartisan group of US legislators to spotlight what they characterise as an acute human-rights crisis in Nigeria. The report submitted to President Donald Trump — who has redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” on religious freedom grounds — details decades of violence attributed to jihadist factions and armed militias. That report describes Nigeria as “the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian” and alleges that tens of thousands of believers have been killed, churches and schools destroyed, and communities displaced over successive years of conflict.
Rare earth minerals are essential components in modern technologies ranging from defence systems to renewable energy hardware, making sizeable deposits in Africa strategically important. Nigeria is widely believed to have commercially significant mineral resources, attracting heightened foreign interest in recent years. In that context, Moore’s allegations tie economic exploitation to violent instability, suggesting that illicit mineral extraction and insurgent finance are interlinked challenges facing the region.
The narrative laid out by the American lawmaker has gained traction among some advocacy groups and diaspora organisations. A US-based veterans group of Igbo descent has even urged Moore to support the creation of a “sovereign safe zone” for persecuted Christian communities in Nigeria, arguing that such measures could provide a secure environment for citizens “without fear of Islamic and Fulani terror.” Those advocates see a geopolitical and moral imperative for stronger American engagement and protection of vulnerable minorities.
However, the allegations linking Chinese mining to terrorist financing have been met with staunch denial. The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria issued a formal statement rejecting the claims as “completely baseless,” insisting that Chinese nationals and enterprises in Nigeria abide by local mining regulations and that the majority of Chinese mining firms contribute positively to economic development, job creation and community support. The embassy described the accusations as false and urged media and policymakers to cease spreading what it called unfounded narratives.
The Nigerian government has also rejected the broader narrative that Christians are being systematically targeted as part of a deliberate campaign of religious persecution. In official statements, authorities assert that the country does not have a state policy of religious discrimination or persecution and characterise the violence affecting citizens as a complex security crisis driven by terrorism, organised crime and long-running communal disputes rather than sectarian policy. Abuja has emphasised its ongoing counter-terrorism efforts, claiming progress in degrading armed groups’ capacity and improving security responses.
As part of the congressional initiative, US lawmakers have called for stronger bilateral cooperation with Nigeria to address insecurity and protect vulnerable communities. Proposed measures include a comprehensive bilateral pact to combat jihadist networks, enhance humanitarian assistance, and counter the influence of not only Chinese interests but also other global actors perceived to impact regional stability. The recommendations also urge steps such as expanding early-warning mechanisms to prevent attacks and reviewing legal frameworks that critics argue exacerbate tensions, such as certain Sharia-based laws and anti-blasphemy statutes.
The debate has also intersected with broader geopolitical competition. Some US lawmakers framing the crisis have emphasised countering foreign influence from China and Russia as part of a wider strategy to support Nigeria’s stability and democratic institutions. They argue that external actors willing to undermine local rule of law or profit from instability should be exposed and countered through coordinated diplomatic and economic strategies.
Critics of the congressional report caution that the data underpinning some claims, particularly figures regarding the number of Christians killed, are contested and may not align with independent analyses. Media evaluations of cited statistics have shown significant variation in casualty counts and questioned the reliability of some sources. Nevertheless, the lawmakers involved maintain that the extent of violence — affecting people of all faiths — is deeply concerning and warrants urgent international attention.
Nigeria’s security landscape remains one of the most volatile in Africa, with multiple armed actors operating concurrently. Islamist extremist groups such as Boko Haram and its splinter factions continue insurgent campaigns primarily in the North-East, while armed Fulani militias have been implicated in widespread violence in central regions. Criminal gangs, kidnappers for ransom, and communal clashes compound the insecurity, making it difficult to categorically attribute causal responsibility to any single factor or external influence.
The intersection of economic interests, resource extraction and violence presents a multifaceted challenge. If allegations like those made by Moore resonate beyond American political discourse, they may shape future foreign policy choices, humanitarian agendas and investment strategies related to Nigeria. However, the competing narratives from Washington, Abuja, and Beijing underscore the complexity of addressing insecurity, economic exploitation and inter-communal conflict in a way that balances geopolitical implications with on-the-ground realities.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments