A United States lawmaker has again criticised the Nigerian government over the continued killings of Christians in the country, insisting that authorities must take responsibility for stopping what he described as a genocide.

US Representative Riley Moore made the statement following the recent abduction of a Catholic priest in Kaduna State.

The priest, Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Asuwaye of Holy Trinity Parish, was kidnapped during an attack on his community, alongside 10 other persons. Three parishioners were reportedly killed during the incident.

Reacting, Moore expressed concern over what he described as repeated violent attacks on Christian communities across Nigeria.

“Please join me in praying for the safe return of Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Asuwaye of Holy Trinity Parish in Kaduna, who was kidnapped alongside 10 others,” Moore said.

“Three of his parishioners were brutally murdered by radical Islamic jihadists during the attack. The last week has been some of the most horrifically bloody days in recent history for Christians across Nigeria,” he added.

The US lawmaker said the Nigerian government must act decisively to protect all citizens, regardless of religion.

“The genocide of Christians must end, and it falls squarely on the Nigerian government’s shoulders to defend its citizens, all of its citizens, and end this violent persecution,” Moore said, urging continued prayers for affected communities.

He stressed that the primary responsibility for protecting lives rests with the Nigerian government, warning that failure to act decisively could allow further attacks to continue.