U.S. lawmaker Riley Moore has dismissed President Bola Tinubu’s denial of the targeted killing of Christians as “completely false”.

Mr Moore said Mr Tinubu’s denial was to “protect his interests”. He added that Nigeria’s political leaders were “complicit” in the killing of Christians.

In an interview with Fox News on Sunday, Mr Moore noted Mr Tinubu’s statement, claiming that the “characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality” is incorrect.

“Unfortunately, that is completely false. There are states in Nigeria that have blasphemy laws. People are facing the death penalty for blasphemy against Islam,” the U.S. lawmaker said. “I know President Tinubu is in a difficult position, and trying to protect his interests there in the country. But they are complicit in this to some degree or another for a statement like this.”

The presidency has been contacted for a response.

Mr Moore cited the case of an Adamawa Christian farmer, Sunday Jackson, who was sentenced to death for defending himself against a killer herdsman.

“There is a person who is currently held in prison for defending himself from an attack by a Muslim militant from the Fulani tribe. He defended himself, and he is facing the death penalty.

There is serious persecution in Nigeria,” Mr Moore said.