Nigerians have expressed outrage and condemnation toward United States Congressman Riley M. Moore after he made false claims about the religious identity of schoolgirls recently abducted in Kebbi State.
False Claim Sparks Widespread Backlash
The controversy began when Congressman Moore took to social media to comment on the kidnapping of 25 female students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State. The abduction occurred in the early hours of Monday, November 17, 2025, when armed bandits invaded the school premises.
In his post, Moore claimed that "the attack occurred in a Christian enclave in Northern Nigeria" and used the incident to reference previously debunked claims by former US President Donald Trump about Christian genocide in Nigeria.
Facts Versus Fiction: What Actually Happened
Multiple sources and local authorities have confirmed that the actual circumstances contradict Moore's assertions. The kidnapping took place at approximately 4 am to 5 am when gunmen stormed the school while firing shots into the air. Police personnel stationed at the location engaged the attackers, but the bandits successfully entered the compound and escaped with the students.
Contrary to Moore's claims, the school is located in a predominantly Muslim community, and the abducted girls are predominantly Muslims. The area has no significant Christian population that would qualify it as a "Christian enclave" as described by the US lawmaker.
Nigerians React: Accusations of Dangerous Narratives
The false claims triggered immediate backlash from Nigerians across social media platforms and beyond. Many accused the congressman of pushing dangerous narratives that could exacerbate Nigeria's existing security challenges and religious tensions.
Bashir Ahmad, a prominent voice in the reactions, 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."
Another commenter, Charles Igwe, questioned the lawmaker's motives: "The kidnapping attack happened in Maga, which is in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State. This area is predominantly Muslim, not a Christian enclave as you suggested. But come to think of it, why are you fixated on profiling only Christian victims?"
Abubakar Sadiq Habib expressed frustration with the misrepresentation: "When does the Kebbi state become a Christian state? All the victims are Muslims. Why are you using all the Muslims killed and portraying them as Christians? What an insensitive portrayal is this, where is your humanity?"
Broader Political Context
The incident occurs against the backdrop of previous claims by former US President Donald Trump about Christian genocide in Nigeria, which have been fact-checked and confirmed as false. Nigerian officials, including Minister Nyesom Wike, have accused opposition leaders of exploiting religious sentiments for political gain.
Wike emphasized that such divisive tactics represent actions beyond normal political competition, suggesting that opponents recognize they cannot defeat President Bola Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 elections through conventional means.
The Nigerian Defense Headquarters and local authorities continue to work toward securing the safe return of the abducted students while maintaining that accurate reporting and representation remain crucial for addressing the country's security challenges effectively.
