US Lawmaker Fumes over Plateau Killings, Accuses Nigerian Government of Failure to Protect Citizens

Sunday Ehigiator

A member of the United States House of Representatives, Chris Smith, has accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect its citizens and hold perpetrators accountable following the recent killings in Plateau State.

Several residents were killed on August 16 in Jwak Maitumbi community, Mangu LGA of Plateau State, while about 45 residential shelters and large quantities of crops were destroyed.

Less than 48 hours later, suspected Fulani militia invaded Bin-Per community in Kombun district of Mangu and killed at least 23 people, including women and children, in what appeared to be a reprisal.

On Thursday, troops of Operation Enduring Peace foiled an attempted attack on Manja community in the same LGA after receiving information about armed herders moving with cattle in the area, reportedly destroying farmlands and attempting to attack the community.

In a statement at the weekend, Smith called on the Nigerian government to take immediate action to protect Christian communities and bring the perpetrators of the attacks to justice.

“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.”

According to the statement, Smith spoke alongside the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank Garcia, who urged the Nigerian 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,” the statement quoted Smith as saying.

“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, the US House of Representatives introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act, which would require the US Secretary of State to compile and submit to Congress a comprehensive report on US efforts to address the “religious persecution” and mass atrocities in Nigeria.