The United States Department of State has condemned the recent killings in Plateau State, describing the attacks as unacceptable and urging the Nigerian government to strengthen security measures ahead of the Easter celebrations.
In a statement shared on Thursday by the Bureau of African Affairs, Principal Advisor for Global Religious Freedom, Mark Walker, called on Nigerian authorities to take immediate action.
“We call on the Nigerian government to significantly ramp up security for Christians ahead of and during Easter. We recognize and appreciate the steps the government of Nigeria has taken to improve security; however, the targeted killing of Christians, especially on Christian holidays, is unacceptable. We urge the Nigerian leadership to engage and to do so now,” he said.
The condemnation follows a fresh wave of violence in Jos and surrounding communities on Palm Sunday, where gunmen reportedly attacked predominantly Christian areas, killing several residents and injuring many others.
The attacks disrupted activities marking the start of Holy Week and heightened fears among residents.
Local sources said the assailants struck in the early hours, firing sporadically and setting homes ablaze, forcing many people to flee their communities.
On Thursday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited the state and assured residents of maximum security.
However, his visit sparked controversy, with some residents criticizing the president for addressing them from the airport rather than visiting affected communities.
