7 May 2026/ News/ SUNTV Global Channel
An American Congressman, Riley M. Moore, has strongly criticised the Nigerian government over the continued killings in Plateau State, accusing authorities of failing to protect Christian communities despite repeated warnings of impending attacks.
Moore, who spoke through his official X account, compared Nigeria’s swift intervention during an attempted coup in neighbouring Benin Republic to what he described as the government’s silence and inaction over deadly attacks in parts of Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
According to the U.S. lawmaker, the Nigerian government demonstrated that it could act decisively when it moved quickly to suppress the attempted coup in Benin Republic, but has allegedly failed to show the same urgency in tackling violence affecting Christian communities in Plateau State.
“When I visited Nigeria, the government responded swiftly to quell a coup in Benin,” Moore stated.
“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 the horrific scenes unfolding in Plateau State even more unconscionable.”
The congressman further alleged that Christians who gathered for a mass burial of victims killed in an earlier attack were themselves targeted by armed terrorists.
He accused Nigerian authorities of ignoring intelligence reports and early warnings before the attacks occurred.
“The Nigerian Government could root out the terrorism and stop the martyrdom of its own citizens,” Moore said.
“But despite receiving early warnings of impending attacks, they are nowhere to be found as Christians are murdered for their faith.”
Moore also called on the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to take decisive action regarding the worsening violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
“I am grateful the Trump Administration identified protecting Christians in Nigeria in its Counterterrorism Strategy,” he added.
“Now, I am calling for forceful action to defend innocent Christians in the Middle Belt, the epicentre of what many describe as an ongoing genocide.”
The statement comes after fresh violence reportedly erupted in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State on Wednesday, where armed attackers allegedly invaded a community during the mass burial of seven family members killed in an overnight attack.
Eyewitnesses said mourners fled in panic as gunmen opened fire near the burial ground.
Social media personality Masara Kim Usman, who claimed to be at the scene, shared videos showing terrified residents running for safety as heavy gunfire echoed across the community.
“We just escaped from massive gunfire,” Usman said in one of the videos.
“Seven people were killed here last night, and now terrorists are advancing again. People are running in all directions.”
As of the time of filing this report, authorities had yet to confirm the number of casualties from the latest attack.
The recurring violence in Plateau State has continued to raise concerns locally and internationally, with growing calls for stronger security measures to protect vulnerable communities.
