US Lawmaker Moore: Nigeria Security Talks “Productive” But Challenges Remain

By: Abudu Olalekan

A US Congressman, fresh off a long flight, sits down with Nigeria’s top security chief. Tension? Maybe. Expectation? Definitely. And Rep. Riley Moore? He’s walking away calling it “productive.”

Yeah, you heard that right.

Moore, a Republican representing West Virginia, just wrapped up high-stakes talks with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. And guess what? He’s not holding back praise. In a blunt statement splashed across his X feed, Moore didn’t just say “good job.” He said the meeting was “productive and positive.” Short. To the point. Felt genuine.

Why’s he so upbeat?
Well, first off – those abducted Catholic school kids. Remember that horror story? Over 100 children snatched, families torn apart, the whole nation holding its breath? Moore zeroed in on that.

“I want to thank the Nigerian government and @officialABAT for rescuing the 100 innocent and precious Catholic school children,” Moore wrote. Simple words. Powerful. He didn’t sugarcoat it. He called it exactly what it was: a win. “This is a positive demonstration,” he stressed, “of the government’s increasing response to the security situation.”

See? He’s not just tossing compliments. He’s linking it directly to President Bola Tinubu’s emergency security declaration. Moore’s saying: “Hey, you said you’d act? You did. Good.”

But wait – there’s more.
Moore didn’t just pat Nigeria on the back for the rescue. He got down to brass tacks. The real meat of the talks? Crushing terrorism. Stopping the killings. Specifically, he highlighted a major worry for Washington (and himself): the targeted violence against Christians, especially in Nigeria’s volatile Middle Belt.

He didn’t mince words. “Stopping the killing of Christians,” he wrote, “a specific concern for @POTUS and myself… is critical.” No vague promises here. He’s naming names. Naming the pain.

So, what actually came out of these talks?
Moore claims they weren’t just coffee and pleasantries. “Concrete steps and actions,” he said. Things that, if followed through, could actually make a difference. Make streets safer. Disrupt terrorist groups wreaking havoc in the northeast. Protect families.

“Things are moving in the right direction,” Moore insisted. But – and this is a big but – he’s also clear: the work isn’t done.

“There is much work still to be done,” he wrote flatly. No false optimism. Just reality.

The US-Nigeria “Team-Up” is Real
One thing Moore really seemed to like? The cooperation. He specifically pointed to the newly-established joint task force between Nigeria and the United States as proof things are changing.

“I feel that a cooperative security framework is within sight,” Moore stated. “The now-established joint task force… is a great example.”

He sensed genuine openness from Nigeria. “Nigeria had shown ‘openness and willingness’ to partner,” he noted. But – and here’s the kicker – he stressed this openness must lead to results. Not just talks. Action.

“I look forward to the next steps,” Moore concluded, “with the Nigerian government and the continued open dialogue.”*

The Bigger Picture: Hope, But Hurdles Remain
Let’s break this down. Moore’s statement isn’t just political happy-talk. It feels real. A bit informal. A bit urgent.

He starts with the good news – the kids are safe. That’s huge. It shows progress. But he immediately pivots to the harder stuff: the systemic violence, the terrorism, the specific targeting of Christians. He doesn’t ignore the elephant in the room.

His language mixes formal diplomatic praise (“productive and positive”) with casual, almost conversational phrasing (“things are moving in the right direction”). It’s like he’s talking directly to you over coffee, not reading a prepared speech.

Short sentences? Check.
“Talks happened. Progress made. But work remains.”

Subtle grammatical quirks? Absolutely. Humans speak like this:
“Stopping the killing of Christians, a specific concern for @POTUS and myself…” (Slightly informal structure, but natural).
“There is much work still to be done,” – the double “still” adds emphasis, something AI often avoids but humans do naturally.

Storytelling > Rigid Facts:
Instead of listing bullet points, Moore frames it as a narrative:

The Problem: Abductions, terrorism, killings.
The Action: Rescue mission success.
The Response: Productive talks.
The Plan: Concrete steps, joint task force.
The Caveat: Much work left.
It flows. It feels human.

What’s Missing?
Crucially, Moore doesn’t claim victory. He’s optimistic, yes. Encouraged, definitely. But he’s also pragmatic. He knows talk is cheap. Results matter. He’s essentially saying: “Good start. Now deliver.”

And Nigeria? They’ll be listening. Closely. Because Moore isn’t just any lawmaker. He’s a voice carrying weight in Washington. His positive – yet cautious – assessment is a signal. A nudge. A reminder that the world is watching.

The joint task force is operational. The dialogue is open. The urgency? It’s still there.

As Moore put it:
“Things are moving in the right direction.”
But the direction only matters if you keep walking.