Chris Smith, a member of the US House of Representatives, has denounced the recent incident in Jos, Plateau State, which claimed the lives of roughly 28 people.
On March 29, gunmen assaulted a well-known neighborhood in the state, murdering dozens of locals.
The event took place on Palm Sunday, a major Christian holiday that comes before Easter.
Smith characterized the incident as a part of a concerning pattern of violence in the area in a statement released on Wednesday.
He stated, “The fact that such atrocities are repeated year after year on the same holy day underscores the urgent need for decisive action.”
The congressman brought up a similar occurrence that occurred in 2025, when gunmen allegedly entered Kimakpa hamlet in the Miango region of Bassa Local Government Area on Palm Sunday, killing approximately fifty people.
Smith called on the Nigerian government to act quickly to safeguard Christian communities and make sure those responsible are held accountable.
“As Christians in Nigeria observe Holy Week and approach Easter Sunday, a time of profound spiritual reflection and celebration, I urge the Government of Nigeria to take immediate and concrete steps to ensure the safety and security of all Christian communities in the country,” he continued.
“This entails putting in place sufficient security forces and holding offenders accountable.”
He emphasized that protecting all citizens, regardless of their religious affiliation, is the government’s constitutional obligation.
He went on, “The Nigerian government has a fundamental responsibility and constitutional duty to protect all its citizens, regardless of their faith.”
Smith cautioned that the nation’s religious peace might be threatened by persistent attacks.
“The ongoing 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.
“It is imperative that the government take action to safeguard Nigerians’ lives and religious freedom.”
AdditSmith stated, “These brutal murders, which target Christians as they assembled during one of the most sacred times of the year, are extremely heartbreaking and absolutely unacceptable.”
The legislator stated that the United States must continue to support Nigerian victims of religious persecution.
In order to stop more violence, he also called on Nigerian authorities to act quickly.
Caleb Mutfwang, the governor of Plateau State, visited President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday to talk about the recent attacks.
The governor called the violence “an act of terrorism,” but it’s still unclear who committed it and why.ionally, he called the murders “tragic” and “unacceptable.”
