By Lawrence Zongo
Jos, Plateau State — United States Senator Ted Cruz has said Nigerian government officials who enable the persecution of Christians could face sanctions, as renewed violence in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State has left residents dead, injured, and displaced.
Cruz made the statement on Tuesday in a post on X, following the Palm Sunday attack on Angwan Rukuba in Jos North, where armed men reportedly killed at least 12 people. The senator said Washington was aware of officials who had helped create conditions in which Christians were exposed to repeated attacks.
“Nigerian government officials have created an environment in which Christians are routinely persecuted and slaughtered, by imposing sharia law and looking the other way at violence. Those officials should know that the U.S. knows who they are, and has the tools to hold them accountable,” Cruz wrote.
The violence in Jos began on Sunday night, when gunmen reportedly attacked Angwan Rukuba community around 8:30 p.m., according to the Plateau State Police Command. By Tuesday, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang said the death toll had risen to 28.
In a statewide broadcast, Mutfwang said the victims were “law-abiding citizens going about their normal activities when the enemies of peace unleashed this senseless attack.”
He said a suspect who had earlier issued threats against the peace of the state had been arrested and promised that others involved would face prosecution. The governor also said the state would cover the medical bills of those injured and support families of the deceased with burial arrangements.
Security measures were tightened after the attack. Plateau authorities imposed a 48-hour curfew in Jos North Local Government Area, later easing it to allow movement during limited hours. State officials also ordered the strict enforcement of the ban on commercial motorcycles within the Jos Greater Master Plan.
But on Wednesday, violence reportedly returned to parts of Jos as armed youths attacked residents in several communities. Witnesses said the renewed unrest spread through areas including Nasarawa Gwom, Bauchi Road, and Farin Gada, where a University of Jos student was reportedly killed and market workers were attacked.
Some residents said the assailants moved in groups and used sticks, machetes, and stones. Others said people were trapped in the market as panic spread through surrounding streets.
A trader identified as Sarah John said people fled as the attackers advanced. Another resident, Simon Yakubu, said many were unable to leave the market area during the chaos.
Community leaders and residents said the curfew was eased too early and without enough security presence on the ground. They argued that the reduction in restrictions left vulnerable neighborhoods exposed to further attacks.
Security operatives were later deployed to restore calm, but residents said casualties had already been recorded by then. Videos circulating on social media showed scenes of confusion as victims were evacuated and bodies were recovered from different parts of the metropolis.
The latest unrest has drawn fresh attention to the security crisis in Plateau State and the wider debate over religiously targeted violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. Humanitarian workers and church leaders have repeatedly called for stronger protection for farming communities, displaced families, and students living in affected areas.
The Jos attacks also come against the backdrop of renewed criticism from Washington over Nigeria’s handling of violence affecting Christian communities. In October 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” citing threats against Christians and warning that continued killings could affect U.S. assistance.
The Nigerian government rejected the designation and sent a delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to Washington for talks with U.S. lawmakers. Officials in Abuja have continued to insist that the violence in the country is driven by a mix of terrorism, criminality, and communal conflict rather than religion alone.
In December 2025, President Bola Tinubu dismissed claims of a Christian genocide, saying Nigeria faced terrorism and extremism that the government was working to defeat.
For families in Jos, however, the immediate concern remains safety. Residents said they want consistent security presence, rapid response to threats, and accountability for those behind the attacks.
As the city counts its dead and treats its wounded, the events in Jos have again placed Nigeria’s protection of vulnerable religious communities under international scrutiny.
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