A United States congressman, Riley McGowan Moore, has urged prayers for 25 schoolgirls kidnapped in Northern Nigeria and for the repose of their slain vice principal.
This remark, however, has sparked criticism over what many describe as a mischaracterisation of the affected community.
Moore, in a post on X on Tuesday, said the attack occurred in what he called a “Christian enclave in Northern Nigeria,” adding that the Nigerian government must “do more to end the rampant violence.”
His message followed online reports of the abduction, which has drawn widespread concern.
“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,” Moore wrote.
The statement quickly drew a response from former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad, who disputed Moore’s characterisation of the community. Ahmad insisted that the attack did not take place in a Christian area and that both the victims and the community were Muslim.
“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,” Ahmad stated.
He cautioned that such misrepresentations reflect a broader pattern of misunderstanding Nigeria’s security challenges, warning that framing attacks along religious lines could “risk worsening our already fragile unity.”
Ahmad reiterated that the attackers targeted a Muslim community, stressing the need for accuracy to avoid fuelling unnecessary tension.
The abduction has intensified calls for stronger action against escalating insecurity in parts of Northern Nigeria, where communities continue to face attacks from armed groups. Security agencies have launched efforts to locate the kidnapped students and bring the perpetrators to justice.
