Congressman Calls Out Fulani Militants: A Genocide Alert, To Report To Trump

U.S. Republican Congressman Riley Moore has claimed that a surge of violent attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt constitutes a "genocidal campaign." He promised to inform President Donald Trump after leading a risky Congressional delegation to Benue State. Speaking on Fox News’ The Faulkner Focus, Moore mentioned that he and four other members of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee visited several Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Benue, using armored vehicles due to increasing insecurity. He stated that the delegation met with Catholic Bishops Wilfred Anagbe and Stephen Dugu, the Tor Tiv, and many displaced victims, "all of whom are Christians." Moore asserted that Fulani militants, whom he labeled as "Islamic radicals," were frequently attacking IDP camps and destroying Christian communities. He shared the story of a woman who had to witness "five of her children murdered in front of her" by attackers. "She was pregnant at the time and managed to escape. She gave birth to that baby at an IDP camp. Her spirit had truly left her body," he recounted.

In another instance, Moore described how a woman’s unborn child was "cut out of her" after her husband and two daughters were killed in a different attack. The Congressman rejected long-held explanations that the violence is due to climate issues, land disputes, or economic competition, narratives often referenced by researchers and Nigerian officials. "If this is climate change, why burn a church? Why attack an IDP camp while shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’?” he questioned. "They are attempting to eliminate Christians from their ancestral homeland in Benue State and throughout Nigeria," he asserted. Moore revealed that President Trump had instructed him and House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole to create a detailed report on how the U.S. should interact with Nigerian authorities regarding the crisis. He mentioned that the Benue trip was a "fact-finding mission" to collect "ground truth," with the report anticipated to be submitted before the end of the month.

He further emphasized that the IDP camps are not the safe places that Nigerian officials claim they are. "These camps lack protection. People are scared," he stated. Moore’s statements highlight a long-standing debate about violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where many have lost their lives over the years due to conflicts between farming communities and armed herders. Photo credit: Riley Moore's Facebook page

Nigerian Icons: Okonjo-Iweala and Abudu on Forbes List

Two Nigerian women, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Mo Abudu, have been named in Forbes’ list of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the World for 2025. The list, released on the magazine’s website on Wednesday, honors women who have a major influence in business, politics, culture, and global leadership. It also showcases the increasing impact of these Nigerian women in global trade and media. They are listed alongside prominent figures such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (No. 1), European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde (No. 2), Japan’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi (No. 3), Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum (No. 5), and Namibia’s Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (No. 79).

Okonjo-Iweala, who is ranked 92nd, currently serves as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation. She is the first woman and the first African to take on this role, which she began in March 2021.

Forbes has described her as “an economist and international development expert” with “over 30 years of experience across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America.” She has previously held the position of Nigeria’s Finance Minister for two terms, from 2003 to 2006 and again from 2011 to 2015, and she briefly acted as Foreign Minister in 2006. Additionally, she chaired the Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which has “immunised over 760 million children worldwide.” Okonjo-Iweala earned her bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and her doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

At 71 years old and a mother of four, she is celebrated for her belief in the potential of trade to help developing nations escape poverty and encourage sustainable development. Photo credit: Mo Abudu's Instagram page

US House passes bill to bolster Europe’s defence, in apparent rebuke to Trump’s foreign policy strategy

The US House has passed a comprehensive defense bill that strengthens Europe’s security, serving as a strong response to Donald Trump’s increasing threats to weaken Washington’s relationships with traditional allies and NATO. This bipartisan vote occurred just days after a White House national security strategy was released, stating that Europe faced "civilizational erasure" and clearly expressing Washington’s backing for Europe’s nationalist far-right parties, which has unsettled EU leaders and signaled a significant change in transatlantic relations. In contrast, the House’s $900 billion Pentagon budget is marked by its pro-Europe stance and its restrictions on Trump’s power to cut troop numbers, relocate equipment, or downgrade NATO-related missions. New Trump policies have pointed out 'Europe's weaknesses'.

The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) – which is now moving to the Senate – includes $8 billion more than the funding Trump requested in May. It strongly emphasizes European defense, preventing troop levels on the continent from dropping below 76,000 for more than 45 days and prohibiting the removal of significant equipment. The Trump administration has criticized European leadership. EU leaders are anticipated to enhance their military commitments and equip themselves with more resources for the future.

Thailand and Cambodia: A Conflict Displacing Thousands

Recently, the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia showed no signs of easing today, leaving hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals in both nations living under difficult conditions. About 400,000 people have been evacuated from the affected regions in Thailand, and around 700 schools were closed while fighting continued in four border provinces, according to Thai military spokesperson Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri today. Cambodia evacuated over 127,000 villagers and shut down hundreds of schools, as reported by the defense ministry.

Thailand’s military reported that this week, five soldiers were killed and many others were injured. Cambodia stated that seven civilians had died, and 20 more were hurt, although it did not provide updated figures today. There is still no clear route to peace, as Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul pledged to keep fighting, while Cambodia’s leader Hun Sen promised a strong retaliation. The recent fighting followed a skirmish on Sunday that injured two Thai soldiers and disrupted a brief ceasefire that had ended armed conflict in July. The five days of fighting over territorial disagreements resulted in dozens of deaths on both sides and necessitated the evacuation of thousands of civilians. The ceasefire was facilitated by Malaysia and enforced with pressure from US President Donald Trump, who warned he would revoke trade privileges from both countries unless they complied. Away from the front lines, worried evacuees are the most apparent indication of the crisis.

In a leisure center in the northeastern Thai city of Surin, around 550 individuals are waiting out the fighting, many having fled hastily after the first shots were fired on Sunday. Officials have supplied food and activities for children. The cooler winter temperatures have made the situation in the shelter tolerable, but there is unavoidable boredom and anxiety about what they left behind, including homes, valuables, and animals. Thidarat Homhual, a 37-year-old farmer in the shelter with her family, expressed her concern for her cows, ducks, four dogs, and nine cats.

Trump’s Take on Europe: A Critique of 'Decaying' Nations and 'Weak' Leadership

President Donald Trump criticized Europe as a "decaying" collection of nations led by "ineffective" leaders in an interview with POLITICO. He openly disparaged traditional U.S. allies for their inability to manage migration and resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict, while hinting at his willingness to back European politicians who share his vision for the continent. This sharp critique marks one of Trump's most strident denouncements of European political leadership to date, heightening tensions with nations such as France and Germany, whose relationships with the Trump administration are already significantly strained. Trump described European leaders as "weak" and accused them of prioritizing political correctness over pragmatic solutions. He went on to claim they are uncertain about how to address the challenges they face, adding, "Europe doesn’t know what to do." In addition to his views on Europe, Trump shared several assertive positions on domestic and international matters. He stated that advocating for immediate interest rate cuts would be a key criterion for selecting a new Federal Reserve chair. Moreover, he floated the possibility of extending anti- drüg military operations into Mexico and Colombia. Trump also urged Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, both in their seventies, to remain on the bench. Trump's remarks about Europe come at a critical juncture in efforts to end Russia's aggression in Ukraine. European leaders are increasingly concerned that Trump may withdraw U.S. support for Ukraine, leaving it vulnerable to Russian advances. Offering no reassurances in the interview, Trump declared that Russia had an unmistakable advantage over Ukraine. Speaking from the White House, Trump commented with unreserved confidence during his discussion with POLITICO’s Dasha Burns. On Tuesday, POLITICO named him the most influential figure shaping Europe’s political future—a title previously awarded to prominent leaders such as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

While his confident rhetoric on European politics stood out, Trump’s statements on domestic issues highlighted contradictions. Amid a string of recent electoral setbacks and increasing dysfunction in Congress, his administration is navigating growing voter frustration over the rising cost of living. Nevertheless, Trump painted an optimistic picture of the economy, grading its performance as "A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus," claiming prices are declining, but failing to offer specific plans to counter impending spikes in healthcare premiums.

Expanding on his global outlook, Trump portrayed major European cities like London and Paris as burdened by migration from the Middle East and Africa. Warning of the consequences of lax border control, he predicted that some European countries risk becoming unsustainable without addressing the issue directly.

Nigeria's Strong Stance: Condemnation of the Attempted Coup in Benin Republic

The Federal Government has denounced the attempted coup that occurred on Sunday in the Republic of Benin, characterizing it as a blatant attack on democracy and the collective will of the Beninese populace. In a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, Nigeria expressed its concern regarding the incident and reiterated its solidarity with the neighboring nation. "Nigeria stands firmly in solidarity with the Government and citizens of the Republic of Benin, and commends the prompt actions taken by Beninese authorities to safeguard its legitimate institutions and maintain peace," the statement indicated.

The ministry praised the Beninese security forces for thwarting the coup attempt. "We commend the bravery and professionalism exhibited by the Beninese security forces in upholding the constitutional order and ensuring the safety of the President," it continued. Nigeria cautioned that unconstitutional changes in government threaten regional stability and jeopardize democratic progress. As a member of ECOWAS and the African Union, Nigeria called upon other member states and international partners to denounce this development. "We urge all member states and the international community to come together in condemning this act and reaffirming our collective commitment to the AU Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, as well as the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance," it stated. The Federal Government of Nigeria also called for calm in Benin and urged that political grievances be addressed through lawful means. "We encourage all parties in the Republic of Benin to remain composed, uphold the rule of law, and continue to express any political discourse through peaceful, constitutional, and democratic channels," it emphasized. The statement further assured Benin of Nigeria’s ongoing cooperation in fostering peace and stability in West Africa.

The attempted coup was reported earlier on state television by a group identifying itself as the "Military Committee for Refoundation," which proclaimed President Patrice Talon re... Nevertheless, Talon’s office maintained that he was safe and that loyal troops were reestablishing order. The French embassy indicated that gunfire was heard near Camp Guezo, which is in proximity to the president’s residence, advising its citizens to remain indoors. This event occurs in the context of a series of recent coups in the area, including those in Niger, Burkina Faso and so on.

Boris Johnson Declares He Feels 'Perfectly Safe' During Visit to Nigeria

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made headlines on Thursday as he confidently stated he felt "perfectly safe" during his visit to Nigeria, brushing off pre-trip security concerns. Speaking at the Imo State Economic Summit 2025, held in the capital city of Owerri, Johnson expressed his commitment to attending the event despite negative reports about security in the country. In his keynote address, Johnson asked attendees if they felt safe and affirmed that he, too, felt secure under the governance of Imo State's Governor Hope Uzodimma. "When I decided to come to Owerri, I read some things, and there were people saying, 'There may be some security problems in Nigeria.'" Johnson's positive remarks come amidst ongoing security issues in the nation, including recent abductions and gun attacks.

Despite the challenges Nigeria faces, including a recent designation from President Donald Trump labeling it a “Country of Particular Concern,” Johnson noted that he was impressed with the state's efforts to provide 24-hour electricity as part of its economic growth strategy. "Your focus on electricity is completely right. What is the future? The future is AI. For clean, sustainable electricity—and because of AI, it’s going to be colossal," he stated.

Johnson emphasized the importance of the UK-Nigeria relationship, noting the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties between the two nations. As the former PM joined Governor Uzodimma in promoting investment in Imo State, he highlighted the governor's initiatives to secure sustainable power and improve business infrastructure, stating, "Imo is ready to harvest your investments."