A member of the US House of Representatives, Chris Smith, has condemned the recent killings in Jos, Plateau State, describing the attack as “absolutely unacceptable” and calling on the Federal Government to act swiftly.
The lawmaker’s reaction follows the March 29 assault in which gunmen reportedly killed about 28 people at a community bar during Palm Sunday a period that precedes Easter and is considered sacred by Christians.
In a strongly worded statement, Smith said the recurrence of such violence reflects a troubling pattern that demands urgent intervention.
“The fact that such atrocities are repeated year after year on the same holy day underscores the urgent need for decisive action,” he said.member of the US House of Representatives, Chris Smith
He urged Nigerian authorities to prioritise the safety of citizens, particularly vulnerable communities observing religious events.
“The Nigerian government has a fundamental responsibility and constitutional duty to protect all its citizens, regardless of their faith,” Smith added.
The US lawmaker further warned that failure to prevent such attacks could worsen tensions and threaten coexistence across communities.
“The continued failure to prevent and intercept these targeted attacks not only deepens human suffering, but also threatens the fabric of religious coexistence in the region,” he stated.
Smith also described the killings as deeply disturbing, especially given their timing.
“These savage killings, targeting Christians as they gathered during one of the most sacred times of the year, are incredibly heartbreaking and absolutely unacceptable.”
While some US lawmakers have previously framed such violence as targeted religious persecution, Nigerian authorities have consistently rejected that characterisation, maintaining that the crisis is more complex.
Meanwhile, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has described the latest violence as an act of terrorism, noting that investigations are ongoing to uncover the perpetrators and their motives after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.
The latest incident adds to a growing list of deadly attacks in Plateau and surrounding areas, raising fresh concerns over security and the protection of lives, particularly during religious observances.
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