A United States lawmaker, Riley Moore, has called on President Donald Trump to take what he described as “forceful action” over renewed attacks in Plateau State.
Moore made the call on Thursday while reacting to reports of an attack on mourners during a mass burial in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state.
Several persons were reportedly killed and many others injured after gunmen opened fire on residents gathered to bury seven victims of an earlier attack in the community.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday in Fan District, had yet to be officially confirmed by security authorities as of the time of filing this report.
In a statement, Moore criticised what he described as the Nigerian government’s failure to protect Christian communities despite repeated attacks in parts of Plateau State.
He referenced Nigeria’s military intervention in neighbouring Benin during an attempted coup in December 2025, arguing that similar urgency had not been shown in addressing killings within the country.
“When I visited Nigeria, the government responded swiftly to quell a coup in Benin,” he 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 lawmaker alleged that Christians gathered for a mass burial were attacked by armed extremists and claimed authorities failed to act despite warnings of impending violence.
Moore further urged the Trump administration to intensify efforts to protect Christians in Nigeria, particularly in the Middle Belt region.
His comments received support from Sean Nelson, Senior Counsel for Global Religious Freedom with Alliance Defending Freedom International.
In a post on X, Nelson described Moore’s position as “very forceful,” adding that stronger international pressure was needed to address the security crisis.
The attack in Barkin Ladi reportedly occurred as mourners were preparing graves for victims of an earlier assault.
An eyewitness and journalist, Masara Kim, said the attackers emerged from surrounding hills and opened fire on villagers during the burial.
According to him, several communities south of Jos were simultaneously under attack, forcing residents to flee for safety.
The latest incident comes amid growing claims by some US conservative politicians and advocacy groups alleging that Christians in Nigeria are being targeted by Islamist militants.
The Federal Government has repeatedly rejected such allegations, insisting that insecurity in the country affects both Christians and Muslims and is largely driven by criminality, insurgency and communal conflicts.
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