US Lawmaker Warns Over 600,000 Christians in Benue State Living as IDPs Amid Widespread Violence

A senior U.S. lawmaker has sounded the alarm, disclosing that more than 600,000 Christians in Benue State are currently displaced and living in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. According to the lawmaker, Riley Moore, the figure emerged following a recent fact‑finding visit to the state, where he met dozens of survivors of violent attacks who recounted harrowing stories. Some survivors described how they had witnessed the murder of family members, including cases where entire families were wiped out.

Moore described the scenes as “horrific,” recounting the pain and trauma of those who barely escaped death, their homes destroyed, and livelihoods lost. He added that many displaced victims now survive in overcrowded camps, having been driven from their ancestral lands by waves of gunmen attacks and insecurity.

During his visit, the U.S. delegation engaged with religious and traditional leaders in Benue, including Christian bishops and community heads, to assess the full extent of the crisis. Moore argued that the magnitude of suffering and displacement calls for urgent international attention and interventions to protect vulnerable communities.

He appealed for global solidarity, urging stakeholders to help ensure that IDPs are provided with humanitarian aid and that measures are taken to restore safety and dignity. The lawmaker stressed that displaced people deserve the right to return home and live without fear.