US lawmaker urges Trump to take ‘forceful action’ over Plateau attack

A United States lawmaker, Riley Moore, has called on the administration of President Donald Trump to take what he described as “forceful action” to protect Christians in Nigeria following renewed attacks in Plateau State.

Moore made the call in a statement on Thursday while reacting to reports and videos from Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, where gunmen attacked mourners during a mass burial on Wednesday.

Several people were feared killed and many others injured after the assailants reportedly opened fire on residents gathered to bury seven people who had been killed earlier in the community.

However, the attack had yet to be officially confirmed by the police as of the time of filing this report.

In his statement, Moore contrasted Nigeria’s military intervention in neighbouring Benin Republic during an attempted coup with what he described as the government’s failure to stop killings in parts of Plateau State.

“When I visited Nigeria, the government responded swiftly to quell a coup in Benin,” he said, referring to Nigeria’s December 2025 deployment of fighter jets and troops to support the Beninese government against an attempted takeover.

“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,” Moore stated.

He alleged that Christians gathered for a mass burial “were viciously murdered by radical Islamic terrorists,” adding that the Nigerian government had failed to act despite warnings of 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, like lambs led to slaughter. Enough is enough,” he added.

Moore further said he was encouraged that the Trump administration had identified the protection of Christians in Nigeria in its counterterrorism strategy, adding, “Now, I am asking the Trump Administration to take forceful action to defend our innocent brothers and sisters in Christ in the Middle Belt of Nigeria, the epicentre of an ongoing Christian genocide.”

His position also drew support from Senior Counsel for Global Religious Freedom with Alliance Defending Freedom International, Sean Nelson, who described Moore’s comments as “very forceful.”

In a post on X, Nelson said, “Very forceful statement from @RepRileyMoore on continuing grave persecution of Christians in Nigeria & Nigerian officials’ unwillingness to respond effectively to early warnings.

“And he’s completely right. We need max US pressure, in line with new counter terror strategy.”

The comments followed Wednesday’s attack in Fan District, Barkin Ladi, where mourners came under gunfire while preparing graves for victims of an earlier assault.

An eyewitness, journalist Masara Kim, said the attackers emerged from surrounding hills and opened fire as villagers were conducting the burial.

“There is an ongoing massive attack on communities south of Jos. More than five communities are under simultaneous assault. While we were at the burial site, the attackers emerged from the hills and began shooting,” he said.

Kim added that mourners “barely dug a shallow grave when the attackers struck,” forcing residents to flee for safety.

The development comes amid growing claims by some U.S. conservative politicians and advocacy groups, including allies of Trump and Senator Ted Cruz, alleging that Christians in Nigeria are facing a “genocide” by Islamist militants.

The Federal Government has consistently rejected the allegations, maintaining that insecurity in the country affects both Muslims and Christians and is driven by broader criminality, insurgency, and communal conflict.