A United States lawmaker, Riley Moore, has urged the administration of 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 and videos emerging from Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, where gunmen reportedly attacked mourners during a mass burial on Wednesday.
It was gathered that several persons were feared killed and many others injured after the assailants allegedly opened fire on residents gathered to bury seven victims previously killed in the community.
As of the time of filing this report, the incident had yet to be officially confirmed by the police authorities.
In a statement, Moore criticised the Nigerian government’s handling of the security situation, comparing it with the country’s military intervention in neighbouring Benin during an attempted coup in December 2025.
According to him, Nigeria acted swiftly to support the Beninese government with troops and fighter jets but had failed to adequately protect communities facing repeated attacks in Plateau State.
The lawmaker described the scenes from the state as disturbing, alleging that Christians gathered for a burial ceremony were attacked by armed extremists.
He further accused the Nigerian government of failing to act despite alleged warnings encouraged that the Trump administration had identified the protection of Christians in Nigeria as part of its counterterrorism strategy, but insisted that stronger action was needed.
He called on the US government to defend what he described as innocent Christian communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.
Moore’s remarks received support from Sean Nelson of Alliance Defending Freedom International, who described the statement as “very forceful.”
In a post on X, Nelson argued that stronger pressure from the United States was necessary in response to attacks against Christian communities in Nigeria.
The comments followed Wednesday’s reported attack in Fan District of Barkin Ladi, where mourners reportedly came under gunfire while preparing graves for victims of an earlier assault.
An eyewitness and journalist, Masara Kim, claimed the attackers emerged from surrounding hills and opened fire on villagers during the burial exercise.
He alleged that several communities south of Jos were simultaneously under attack, forcing residents to flee for safety.
The development comes amid renewed claims by some conservative US politicians and advocacy groups, including allies of Trump and Ted Cruz, that Christians in Nigeria are facing targeted persecution by Islamist militants.
However, the Federal Government of Nigeria has repeatedly rejected allegations of genocide, maintaining that insecurity in the country affects both Christians and Muslims and is largely driven by insurgency, criminality and communal clashes.