US lawmaker urges Trump to intervene over Plateau violence

A member of the United States Congress, Riley Moore, has called on President Donald Trump’s administration to take stronger measures in response to the recent killings in Plateau State, describing the attacks on Christians as deeply disturbing.

Moore made the appeal on Thursday following reports of a deadly assault in Barkin Ladi, where armed men reportedly attacked mourners during a mass burial ceremony.

The attackers were said to have opened fire on residents gathered to bury seven victims killed in an earlier attack, leaving several more feared dead and others injured.

Reacting to the incident, the US congressman questioned the Nigerian government’s response to insecurity in Plateau communities, comparing it with Nigeria’s military support for neighbouring Benin Republic during an attempted coup last year.

“When I visited Nigeria, the government responded swiftly to quell a coup in Benin,” Moore stated, referencing Nigeria’s December 2025 deployment of troops and fighter jets to assist the Beninese authorities.

He argued that Nigeria’s willingness to intervene outside its borders while violence persists at home raises serious concerns.

“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 in Plateau State even more troubling,” he said.

Moore further alleged that the victims were targeted because of their Christian faith and accused authorities of failing to prevent the attacks despite warnings.

“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 added.

The lawmaker also welcomed what he described as the Trump administration’s renewed focus on the protection of Christians in Nigeria as part of its counterterrorism policy.

“Now, I am asking the Trump Administration to take forceful action to defend innocent Christians in the Middle Belt of Nigeria,” Moore said.

His position was supported by Sean Nelson, who said stronger international pressure was needed on Nigerian authorities to address the attacks.

In a post on X, Nelson described Moore’s remarks as “very forceful,” adding that Nigerian officials had failed to respond effectively to repeated warnings about violence against Christian communities.

The incident in Fan District, Barkin Ladi, reportedly occurred while villagers were digging graves for victims of an earlier assault.

An eyewitness and journalist, Masara Kim, said the attackers stormed the area from nearby hills and opened fire on mourners.

“There is an ongoing massive attack on communities south of Jos. More than five communities are under simultaneous assault,” he said.

Kim added that residents were forced to flee for safety as gunfire erupted at the burial ground.

The latest attack has intensified claims by some conservative US politicians and advocacy groups, including allies of Trump and Senator Ted Cruz, that Christians in Nigeria are being systematically targeted by Islamist militants.

However, the Nigerian government has consistently rejected allegations of religious genocide, maintaining that insecurity across the country affects both Christians and Muslims and is rooted in criminality, insurgency and communal conflicts.