US Lawmaker Raises Alarm Over Nigeria Killings, Warns of Diplomatic Fallout

Fresh violence in Plateau and Kaduna states has drawn international attention, with US Congressman Riley Moore warning that continued attacks on Christians could damage Nigeria’s relations with the United States.

The warning follows coordinated assaults on Palm Sunday that left dozens dead. In Plateau State, gunmen stormed Angwan Rukuba in Jos North, while in Kaduna State, attackers targeted a wedding in Kahir village, killing 13 guests and abducting others.

Although community sources put the Plateau death toll at 27, police confirmed 14 fatalities.

Moore, reacting on X, linked the incidents to what he described as a pattern of attacks on Christians during religious celebrations. He urged urgent security measures ahead of Easter.

“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.

“This tragedy follows a pattern of radical Islamic terrorists massacring Christians on Holy Days. In fact, terrorists have attacked Christians in Nigeria on every single holy day in recent memory, except for last Christmas when President Trump sent 12 tomahawk cruise missiles to stop them,” he said.

He further cautioned the Nigerian government:

“Abuja knows this pattern and they must massively ramp up security for the Tridduum and Easter. If they don’t take this threat seriously and mobilise to defend our brothers and sisters in Christ, blood of these martyrs will be on their hands, and there will be significant consequences for Nigeria’s relationship with the United States.”

On the ground, survivors described chaos as attackers opened fire on residents in Jos around 7:30 pm, triggering panic in the community. Authorities responded by imposing a 48-hour curfew, while security forces launched search operations.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the violence and pledged justice, while the police said additional bodies were discovered during follow-up operations.

The unrest disrupted academic activities at the University of Jos, which postponed scheduled examinations.

Religious leaders also reacted, with Jama’atu Nasril Islam calling the attack “barbaric” and warning against reprisals, stressing the need for calm and a transparent investigation.

In Kaduna, witnesses said the wedding attack lasted nearly an hour, with gunmen firing indiscriminately and looting shops. Several injured victims remain in hospital, while authorities continue efforts to track the attackers and determine the number of abducted persons.

The incidents come amid rising insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria, prompting renewed calls for stronger protection measures and coordinated security responses.

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