A United States congressman, Riley Moore, has warned that continued attacks on Christians in Nigeria could strain diplomatic relations with the United States, following reports of a deadly Palm Sunday assault in Jos, Plateau State.
Moore, in a post on X on Monday, condemned the reported killing of at least 10 Christians in Anguwan Rukuba, describing the incident as part of a recurring pattern of violence during religious observances.
The lawmaker, who was part of a US fact-finding delegation on alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria, said such attacks have become frequent during Christian holy days and called on Nigerian authorities to act decisively.
“This Palm Sunday, reports from Nigeria indicate that at least 10 Christians were martyred in the city of Jos. Radical Islamic terrorists opened fire on the Christians before hacking them to pieces with machetes. This is sickening and unacceptable, but it’s not surprising,” he said.
He added that the incident followed what he described as a pattern of attacks on Christians during major religious celebrations.
Moore urged the federal government, led by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to strengthen security measures ahead of upcoming Christian observances, particularly the Easter period.
“Abuja knows this pattern and must massively ramp up security for the Triduum and Easter. If they don’t take this threat seriously and mobilise to defend our brothers and sisters in Christ, the blood of these martyrs will be on their hands, and there will be significant consequences for Nigeria’s relationship with the United States,” he stated.
Reiterating his concerns, the congressman again alleged that armed attackers opened fire on worshippers before killing them with machetes.
Meanwhile, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang has assured residents of justice and announced a 48-hour curfew in Jos North Local Government Area following a deadly attack in Angwan Rukuba.
The governor, who visited the scene of the Sunday night incident on Monday, also pledged that perpetrators would be swiftly apprehended and prosecuted, while the state government would fund medical treatment for injured victims and organise a befitting burial for the deceased.
Describing the incident as painful, the governor noted that Angwan Rukuba is a diverse community with residents from different ethnic backgrounds, adding that the tragedy affected all.
“This is a painful thing for all of us. Angwan-Rukuba is a community that harbours every ethnic nationality in Plateau; I personally have relations that have lived in Angwan-Rukuba. Therefore, this is a pain to all of us,” he said in part.
“It is not just to a few people; I want to plead with you; please let us not take the laws into our hands, I beg you.”
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