A United States lawmaker, Riley Moore, has called on the administration of President Donald Trump to take stronger action over the recent attacks in Plateau State that claimed several lives.
Moore made the appeal on Thursday while reacting to reports of an attack on mourners in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Gunmen were said to have opened fire on residents gathered for the burial of seven persons earlier killed in the community. Several people were reportedly feared dead, while many others sustained injuries during the incident.
The attack had not been officially confirmed by security authorities as of the time of filing this report.
Reacting to the development, Moore criticised the Nigerian government for what he described as its failure to protect vulnerable communities despite previous security interventions outside the country.
“When I visited Nigeria, the government responded swiftly to quell a coup in Benin,” Moore said.
“Nigeria’s willingness to step in to stop a violent attack in another country, while they stand by as their own Christian citizens are brutalised, makes these horrific scenes unfolding in Plateau State even more troubling,” he added.
The U.S. lawmaker further alleged that Christians gathered for a mass burial were targeted by extremists and accused the Nigerian government of failing to act despite alleged warnings of impending attacks.
“The Nigerian Government could root out terrorism and stop the killing of its citizens.
But despite receiving early warnings of impending attacks, they are nowhere to be found as Christians are murdered for their faith. Enough is enough,” he stated.
Moore also urged the Trump administration to adopt what he termed “forceful action” to protect Christians in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.
“I am asking the Trump Administration to take decisive action to defend innocent Christians in the Middle Belt of Nigeria,” he said.
His comments received support from Sean Nelson, who described Moore’s remarks as “very forceful.”
In a post on X, Nelson said, “We need maximum U.S. pressure in line with the new counterterrorism strategy.”
The latest attack reportedly occurred in Fan District of Barkin Ladi, where mourners had gathered to bury victims of an earlier assault.
A journalist and eyewitness, Masara Kim, said the attackers emerged from surrounding hills and began shooting at villagers during the burial.
“There is an ongoing massive attack on communities south of Jos. More than five communities are under simultaneous assault,” Kim said.
“While people were preparing graves for the victims, the attackers suddenly emerged from the hills and opened fire,” he added.
The incident has renewed debates among some U.S. conservative politicians and advocacy groups, including allies of Trump and Senator Ted Cruz, who have repeatedly alleged that Christians in Nigeria are facing targeted persecution by Islamist militants.
However, the Federal Government has consistently rejected claims of genocide, maintaining that insecurity in the country affects both Christians and Muslims and is largely driven by criminality, insurgency, and communal clashes.
