Fresh international concern has trailed the recent killings in Plateau State as United States Congressman Riley Moore called on President Donald Trump’s administration to take decisive steps to protect Christians in Nigeria.
Moore made the call while reacting to reports of an attack in Barkin Ladi, where gunmen reportedly opened fire on mourners gathered for a mass burial on Wednesday.
The mourners were said to be burying seven persons killed in an earlier assault when the attackers struck, leaving several others feared dead and many injured.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, the US lawmaker criticised the Nigerian government’s handling of the security situation in Plateau, arguing that authorities had failed to adequately protect vulnerable communities.
Moore contrasted the government’s response to the Plateau violence with Nigeria’s military intervention in Benin Republic during an attempted coup in December 2025.
“When I visited Nigeria, the government responded swiftly to quell a coup in Benin,” he stated.
“Nigeria’s willingness to step in to stop a violent attack in another country, while their own Christian citizens are being brutalised, makes the horrific scenes in Plateau State even more disturbing,” Moore added.
The congressman alleged that the victims were attacked because of their Christian faith and accused the Nigerian authorities of ignoring warnings before the incident.
“The Nigerian Government could root out the terrorism and stop the martyrdom of its own citizens. But despite receiving early warnings of impending attacks, they are nowhere to be found as Christians are murdered for their faith,” he said.
Moore further urged the Trump administration to adopt tougher measures as part of its counterterrorism strategy involving Nigeria.
“I am asking the Trump Administration to take forceful action to defend innocent Christians in the Middle Belt of Nigeria,” he added.
His comments were backed by Sean Nelson, who said stronger pressure should be mounted on Nigerian authorities over the recurring violence.
In a post on X, Nelson described Moore’s remarks as “very forceful,” saying Nigerian officials had repeatedly failed to act on intelligence warnings concerning attacks on Christian communities.
An eyewitness and journalist, Masara Kim, said the assailants emerged from nearby hills and attacked villagers during the burial.
“There is an ongoing massive attack on communities south of Jos. More than five communities are under simultaneous assault,” he said.
Kim explained that residents fled for safety after gunmen invaded the burial ground and began shooting.
The incident has further fuelled claims by some American conservative politicians and advocacy organisations, including allies of Trump and Senator Ted Cruz, that Christians in Nigeria are facing targeted persecution by Islamist militants.
The Federal Government, however, has consistently denied allegations of religious genocide, insisting that insecurity in the country affects both Christians and Muslims and is driven by broader issues such as banditry, insurgency and communal clashes.
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