A United States lawmaker, Riley Moore, has reacted to reports of a deadly attack in Jos, calling on the Nigerian government to strengthen security measures ahead of the Easter period.
Moore, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, said at least 10 Christians were killed during a Palm Sunday attack in the city, describing the incident as “sickening and unacceptable.”
He further pointed to what he described as a pattern of attacks targeting Christians during religious holidays and urged authorities in Abuja to take urgent steps to prevent further violence.
Significantly, the lawmaker warned that failure to act decisively could have diplomatic consequences, stressing that Nigeria’s relationship with the United States could be affected if such incidents persist.
“If they don’t take this threat seriously and mobilize 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,” he said.
The comments follow reports of an attack on Sunday in communities around Angwan Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Local sources and eyewitness accounts indicate that gunmen stormed parts of the area, firing at residents and causing multiple casualties. While some reports put the death toll at about 10, authorities are yet to confirm an exact figure.
Residents described scenes of panic as the attackers, reportedly arriving on motorcycles, opened fire on passersby before fleeing the area. The incident affected communities including Angwan Rukuba and nearby neighbourhoods.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies have not released a detailed official statement identifying those responsible for the attack.
Read Also: Plateau Govt Imposes 48-Hour Curfew in Jos North After Deadly Attack
The development adds to growing concerns over renewed violence in Plateau State, where communities have witnessed repeated attacks in recent months, often linked to longstanding security challenges.
Moore’s remarks have also sparked reactions online, with renewed calls for improved protection of lives and property, particularly during major religious observances.
Authorities in Plateau State have in recent weeks stepped up security efforts in parts of Jos and surrounding areas following a series of violent incidents.
The latest attack comes at a sensitive period in the Christian calendar, with Palm Sunday marking the beginning of Holy Week leading up to Easter.