A United States lawmaker, Riley Moore, has urged the administration of President Donald Trump to take what he described as “forceful action” in response to the recent attacks in Plateau State, Nigeria, particularly those affecting Christian communities.
Moore made the statement on Thursday while reacting to disturbing reports and circulating videos from Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, where armed attackers reportedly invaded a mass burial ceremony on Wednesday.
According to eyewitness accounts, several residents were feared dead while many others sustained injuries after gunmen opened fire on mourners who had gathered to bury seven victims previously killed in the area. As of the time this report was filed, the incident had not yet been officially confirmed by Nigerian police authorities.
Riley Moore Criticises Nigerian Government’s Response
In his statement, Moore compared Nigeria’s rapid military intervention in neighbouring Benin Republic during an attempted coup to what he described as the government’s inability to stop recurring violence in parts of Plateau State.
“When I visited Nigeria, the government responded swiftly to suppress a coup attempt in Benin,” Moore stated, referring to Nigeria’s reported deployment of troops and fighter aircraft in December 2025 to assist the Beninese government during the crisis.
He argued that Nigeria’s readiness to intervene in another nation’s security challenge while violence continues within its own borders raises serious concerns.
“Nigeria’s willingness to intervene and stop violent unrest in another country, while its own Christian citizens continue to suffer brutal attacks, makes the horrific scenes unfolding in Plateau State even more troubling,” Moore said.
Allegations of Religious Persecution
Moore further alleged that Christians attending the burial ceremony were attacked by what he referred to as “radical Islamic terrorists.” He claimed that Nigerian authorities failed to respond despite warnings about possible violence in the affected communities.
“The Nigerian Government has the ability to confront terrorism and protect its citizens. Yet despite receiving warnings before the attacks, there has been little visible action while innocent people continue to lose their lives,” he added.
The lawmaker also noted that he was encouraged by reports that the Trump administration had included the protection of Christians in Nigeria within its broader counterterrorism strategy.
He called on the U.S. government to intensify diplomatic and security efforts aimed at protecting vulnerable communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.
Support From Religious Freedom Advocates
Moore’s remarks received backing from Sean Nelson, a representative of Alliance Defending Freedom International.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Nelson described Moore’s comments as “very forceful,” adding that stronger international pressure was necessary to address the ongoing violence and insecurity in Nigeria.
According to Nelson, Nigerian officials have repeatedly failed to respond effectively to warnings about impending attacks in vulnerable communities.
Eyewitness Describes Chaotic Scene During Burial
The latest violence reportedly occurred in the Fan District of Barkin Ladi, where mourners gathering for a burial ceremony suddenly came under gunfire.
Journalist Masara Kim, who claimed to witness the attack, said the assailants emerged from nearby hills and began shooting while villagers were preparing graves for victims of an earlier assault.
“There is an ongoing large-scale attack on communities south of Jos. More than five communities are reportedly under simultaneous assault,” he explained.
Kim further revealed that residents barely had time to complete the burial process before the attackers struck, forcing villagers and mourners to flee the scene for safety.
Rising International Attention on Violence in Nigeria
The incident has renewed international debate surrounding the security crisis in Nigeria, particularly in the Middle Belt region where communal clashes, banditry, and insurgent violence have persisted for years.
Some conservative U.S. politicians and advocacy groups, including allies of Senator Ted Cruz, have increasingly described the killings of Christians in parts of Nigeria as a “genocide” carried out by extremist groups.
However, the Nigerian Federal Government has consistently rejected those accusations, insisting that insecurity across the country affects both Christians and Muslims alike.
Authorities maintain that the violence is largely connected to broader issues such as insurgency, criminal activity, communal disputes, and competition over resources rather than solely religious persecution.
Security analysts have continued to call for stronger intelligence gathering, improved community protection, and long-term peacebuilding efforts to reduce tensions in conflict-prone areas across Nigeria.
For more Nigerian security and political updates, visit
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