By Palang Paul
United States congressman, Riley Moore, has called on President Donald Trump to take what he described as “forceful action” against the worsening violence in Plateau State following fresh attacks in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
Moore made the call after gunmen reportedly attacked mourners gathered for a mass burial in Fan District on Wednesday 6th May 2026, leaving several persons feared dead and many others injured.
Reacting to the incident, the U.S. lawmaker criticised the Nigerian government’s handling of the recurring violence, arguing that authorities had failed to adequately protect vulnerable communities despite repeated warnings of attacks.
“When I visited Nigeria, the government responded swiftly to quell a coup in Benin,” Moore said, referring to Nigeria’s military intervention in the neighbouring country during the attempted coup in December 2025.
He argued that Nigeria’s willingness to intervene outside its borders while violence persisted at home raised serious concerns.
“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,” he stated.
Moore further alleged that Christians participating in the burial were targeted by armed extremists, insisting that authorities possessed prior intelligence about possible attacks but failed to respond effectively.
“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,” he added.
The congressman also urged the Trump administration to intensify pressure on Nigeria as part of America’s counterterrorism strategy, describing the Middle Belt region as the centre of what he called an ongoing persecution of Christians.
His comments received backing from Sean Nelson of Alliance Defending Freedom International, who described Moore’s remarks as “very forceful” and called for stronger U.S. engagement on the crisis.
The latest controversy followed Wednesday’s attack in Fan District, where mourners preparing graves for victims of an earlier assault reportedly came under heavy gunfire from attackers said to have emerged from nearby hills.
Truth Nigeria Journalist, Masara Kim, who witnessed the incident, said several communities south of Jos were simultaneously attacked, forcing residents to flee for safety.
“There is an ongoing massive attack on communities south of Jos,” he said. “While we were at the burial site, the attackers emerged from the hills and began shooting.”
The killings have renewed international attention on the security situation in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where recurring clashes and armed attacks have continued to claim lives and displace residents.
The Federal Government has repeatedly denied claims of religious genocide, maintaining that the country’s insecurity affects both Christians and Muslims and is driven by criminality, insurgency, and communal conflicts.
Palang Paul reports on Security and Conflict for The Nigeria Times
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