Riley Moore has warned that continued attacks on Christians in Nigeria could strain diplomatic relations with the United States, following deadly violence on Palm Sunday in Jos and parts of Kaduna State.
Gunmen suspected to be terrorists killed dozens of people in separate attacks on Angwan Rukuba in Plateau State and Kahir village in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State. While community sources reported 27 deaths in Plateau and 13 wedding guests killed in Kaduna, the Nigeria Police Force confirmed 14 fatalities in the Plateau incident.
Reacting in a post on X, Moore condemned the killings, describing them as part of a troubling pattern of attacks on worshippers during Christian holy days. He urged authorities under Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthen security ahead of Easter celebrations, warning that failure to act could affect Nigeria–US relations.
According to the Plateau State government, the attackers stormed Angwan Rukuba on Sunday evening, opening fire on residents and triggering panic across the community. Authorities later imposed a 48-hour curfew on Jos North Local Government Area to restore calm and support ongoing security operations.
Plateau State Commissioner for Information, Joyce Ramnap, described the attack as “barbaric and unprovoked,” while Governor Caleb Mutfwang assured residents that efforts were underway to arrest the perpetrators.
During follow-up operations, police said two additional bodies were recovered while security personnel combed nearby bushes in search of suspects. Five soldiers were also injured during related operations involving improvised explosive devices in the wider theatre.
In Kaduna State, gunmen attacked a wedding ceremony at Kahir village late Sunday night, killing 13 people and abducting an unspecified number of guests, according to residents. Security agencies said search operations were ongoing to track the attackers and rescue victims.
The violence also forced the University of Jos to reschedule examinations due to heightened tensions around the affected communities. Meanwhile, the Plateau chapter of Jama’atu Nasril Islam condemned the attack and called for calm, urging residents to avoid retaliation and support peace efforts.
Separately, the Middle Belt Forum called on the Federal Government to review access to lawful self-defence tools for vulnerable communities, citing persistent insecurity across parts of the region.