Plateau Palm Sunday Massacre: US Lawmaker Warns Nigeria

US lawmaker Riley Moore

Plateau Palm Sunday Massacre: US Lawmaker Warns Nigeria

The United States lawmaker, Riley Moore, has issued a strong warning to Nigerian authorities following a deadly Palm Sunday attack in Jos, Plateau State, describing it as part of a disturbing pattern of attacks on Christians during religious observances. Moore, reacting via his X handle, stated that at least 10 Christians were killed in Jos, adding: “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.”

He warned that such incidents are increasingly recurrent. “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,” he said. The lawmaker urged the Nigerian government to take immediate and decisive action, saying, “Abuja knows this pattern and they must massively ramp up security for the Triduum 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.”

READ ALSO:

The violence took place on March 29, 2026, in Gari Ya Waye, Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area, when suspected gunmen on motorcycles opened fire on residents. Eyewitnesses described chaos and panic, with families fleeing as the assailants moved through crowded streets, targeting civilians, traders, and passersby. State authorities confirmed that 27 people were killed and many others injured in the attack. Following the tragedy, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang imposed a 48-hour curfew in affected areas and directed security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators.

The attack prompted widespread outrage, with residents defying the curfew to protest and demand improved security. Civic groups and community leaders condemned the killings, calling for urgent action to protect civilians. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) decried the attacks, demanding accountability and highlighting the repeated targeting of Christian communities during religious holidays.

Moore’s warning underscores the international attention on security challenges in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where violence from armed groups and communal conflicts remains a persistent threat. Analysts say attacks like the Palm Sunday killings risk eroding confidence in Nigeria’s ability to protect its citizens and could strain diplomatic relations with key allies such as the United States.