US Lawmaker Asks Trump To Take ‘Forceful action’ Over ‘Fresh Attack’ In Plateau
A United States lawmaker, Riley Moore, has called on the administration of President Donald Trump to take what he described as “forceful action” to protect Christians in Nigeria following renewed attacks in Plateau State.
Moore made the call in a statement obtained on Thursday following an alleged attack on mourners during a mass burial on Wednesday in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau.
In his statement, Moore contrasted Nigeria’s military intervention in neighbouring Benin Republic during an attempted coup with what he described as the government’s failure to stop killings in parts of Plateau State.
“When I visited Nigeria, the government responded swiftly to quell a coup in Benin,” he said, referring to Nigeria’s December 2025 deployment of fighter jets and troops to support the Beninese government against an attempted takeover.
“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,” Moore stated.
He alleged that Christians gathered for a mass burial “were viciously murdered by radical Islamic terrorists,” adding that the Nigerian government had failed to act despite warnings of impending attacks.
“The Nigerian Government could not 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, like lambs led to slaughter. Enough is enough,” he added.
Moore further said he was encouraged that the Trump administration had identified the protection of Christians in Nigeria in its counterterrorism strategy, adding, “Now, I am asking the Trump Administration to take forceful action to defend our innocent brothers and sisters in Christ in the Middle Belt of Nigeria, the epicentre of an ongoing Christian genocide.”
Meanwhile, the state police public relations officer, SP Alfred Alabo, has debunked the purported attack.
The police spokesperson stated that there was no record of the incident in the state, describing the claims as “grossly exaggerated, inaccurate.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, the burial in question was conducted under strict security supervision. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), alongside his officers and other security agencies, was physically present at the venue throughout the ceremony, ensuring adequate security coverage and the safety of all attendees. The event was carried out without any attack as falsely reported,” he said.