A United States congressman, Riley Moore, has called on the administration of President Donald Trump to take what he described as “forceful action” following renewed attacks in Plateau State.
Moore made the call on Thursday after reports emerged of an attack on mourners in Barkin Ladi, where gunmen reportedly opened fire during a mass burial on Wednesday.
Several people were feared killed and many others injured after residents gathered to bury seven victims from an earlier attack in the area. Police authorities had yet to officially confirm the incident at the time of filing this report.
In a statement, Moore criticised the Nigerian government, comparing its military intervention in Benin Republic during an attempted coup in December 2025 with what he described as a failure to halt killings in Plateau communities.
“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 absolutely horrific scenes unfolding in Plateau State all the more unconscionable,” he added.
The US lawmaker alleged that Christians gathered for the burial “were viciously murdered by radical Islamic terrorists,” accusing Nigerian authorities of failing to act despite alleged warnings about impending attacks.
“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,” Moore stated.
He further urged the Trump administration to intensify pressure on Nigeria, saying the protection of Christians had already been identified in US counterterrorism strategy discussions.
Moore’s comments were backed by Sean Nelson, who described the statement as “very forceful.”
In a post on X, Nelson wrote: “We need max US pressure, in line with new counter terror strategy.”
The latest violence reportedly occurred in Fan District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, where mourners were attacked while preparing graves for earlier victims.
An eyewitness, journalist Masara Kim, said the attackers emerged from surrounding hills and began shooting at villagers gathered for the burial.
“There is an ongoing massive attack on communities south of Jos. More than five communities are under simultaneous assault,” Kim said.
The incident comes amid growing claims by some US conservative politicians and advocacy groups, including allies of Trump and Senator Ted Cruz, alleging that Christians in Nigeria are facing targeted persecution by Islamist militants.
The Federal Government has repeatedly rejected allegations of genocide, insisting that insecurity in Nigeria affects both Christians and Muslims and is fuelled by terrorism, banditry, communal clashes and other criminal activities.
