International Alarm Bells Ring: US Reps Decry 'Incessant' Attacks on Christians in Plateau

United States Representative Anna Paulina has vocally raised alarm over what she describes as incessant attacks and killings of Christians across various communities in Plateau State, Nigeria. She specifically pointed to Fulani ethnic militia terrorists and Islamist extremists as perpetrators, accusing both the state and federal governments of insufficient action to protect the Christian population from these regular assaults.

In a statement shared on her verified X account on a Friday in September, Paulina's post, titled “What is happening in Nigeria right now?”, lamented the dire situation. She stated that thousands of Christians in Plateau were facing a mortal threat, while Nigerian security forces struggled to contain the escalating violence. She highlighted that hundreds of Fulani ethnic militia terrorists had descended on Christian communities, leaving thousands of civilians under grave danger, with the Nigerian Army and security forces reportedly struggling to hold the line.

Paulina detailed several specific violent incidents that preceded and accompanied the latest attacks. She reported that a pastor and his church secretary were shot dead on their way to church, while five Christians were ambushed in their vehicle. Additionally, a civilian guard was killed outside his own home, and a man and his son were beaten and left in critical condition. She further raised concerns about the reported abduction of over 100 people from Maburya village, who remained missing. The US representative also alleged that security agencies had not taken prior warnings and security alerts seriously, questioning why these alerts did not prevent the attacks.

Amidst these security concerns, the Plateau State Government imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, and Mangu Local Government Areas. This restriction requires residents to remain indoors between 6 PM and 6 AM until further notice. The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya, reportedly stated that the curfew was introduced to enable security agencies to stabilize the affected areas, protect lives, and prevent a breakdown of law and order. The government directed full compliance, organizing commercial, agricultural, and other activities around these restricted hours. An immediate ban on the use of motorcycles within the affected jurisdictions was also implemented as a security measure, with reassurances that security personnel would operate professionally.

The developments have prompted increased deployment and patrols by security forces in the affected communities to prevent further escalation of violence. Reports indicate that troops recently repelled a suspected reprisal attack by Fulani militants in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, following the killing of a local resident. The overall picture painted by Anna Paulina's statement, combined with the government's actions, underscores a situation of heightened insecurity in parts of Plateau State, with civilians allegedly being targeted in various locations, raising significant concerns over the capacity of Nigerian security forces to effectively protect vulnerable communities.