US Lawmaker Slams Nigerian Govt Over Plateau Killings, Demands Action

A member of the United States House of Representatives, Chris Smith, has criticised the Nigerian government over the recent killings in Plateau State.

Chris Smith accused Nigerian government of failing to protect citizens and bring those responsible to justice.

The comments followed a series of violent attacks in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

On August 16, several residents, reportedly Fulani, were killed in Jwak Maitumbi community. The attack also left about 45 homes and shelters destroyed, while large areas of farmland and crops were damaged.

Less than two days later, suspected Fulani militia reportedly attacked Bin-Per community in the Kombun district of Mangu. At least 23 people, including women and children, were killed in what was believed to be a retaliatory attack.

Security forces later stopped another suspected attack in Manja community, also in Mangu LGA.

Troops from Operation Enduring Peace reportedly moved in after receiving information about armed herders with cattle who were allegedly destroying farmlands and planning to attack the community.

In a statement issued on Friday, Smith urged the Nigerian government to take stronger steps to protect vulnerable communities and ensure that those behind the violence are prosecuted.

“Despite denials by Nigerian government actors, Christians continue to be slaughtered while Nigerian officials fail to provide adequate protection or hold the perpetrators accountable,” Smith said.

“Enough is enough. The Nigerian government must fulfill its most basic responsibility of protecting its citizens.”

Smithz who spoke alongside Frank Garcia, assistant secretary of state for African affairs, called on Nigeria Government government “to meet their commitments to protect Christian communities and to hold perpetrators of violence accountable”.

“The U.S. State Department’s recent public message underscores the urgent need for concrete action—not more assurances—as deadly violence continues to devastate vulnerable communities.

“Instead of spending millions of dollars—$9 million, to be exact—in an attempt to improve its image in Washington, the Nigerian government should redirect those resources towards protecting its people and addressing this grave security crisis.”

Earlier this year, Chris Smith introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act in the US House of Representatives.

The proposed legislation would require the US secretary of state to provide Congress with a detailed report on American efforts to address religious persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria.

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