United States Representative Anna Paulina Luna has raised fresh concerns over attacks on Christian communities in Plateau State, alleging that armed groups have continued to target civilians while security agencies struggle to contain the violence.
Luna made the comments in a post shared on her verified X account on Friday.
She also tagged US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz in the post.
The American lawmaker described the reported attacks as a serious security concern and called for urgent action over the situation.
In her post titled, “What is happening in Nigeria right now?”, Luna alleged that Christian communities in Plateau had come under repeated attacks by what she described as Fulani ethnic militia terrorists and Islamist extremists.
She said the attacks had left thousands of residents facing serious danger, while Nigerian security forces were struggling to protect vulnerable communities.
“Hundreds of Fulani ethnic militia terrorists descended on Christian communities across Plateau State.
“Thousands of civilians are under mortal threat while the Nigerian Army and security forces struggle to hold the line,” Paulina wrote.
The lawmaker further alleged that the recent violence did not happen in isolation. According to her, several incidents had been recorded before the latest attacks, with civilians and religious figures among those allegedly targeted.
“A pastor and his church secretary were shot dead on their way to church. Five Christians were ambushed in their car.
“A civilian guard was killed outside his own home. A man and his son were beaten and left in critical condition,” the lawmaker said.
Luna also questioned the response of security agencies to warnings reportedly issued before some of the incidents.
She alleged that authorities had received security alerts but failed to act sufficiently on them before the attacks occurred.
Her comments come amid renewed security concerns in Plateau State, where several communities have suffered deadly attacks in recent months.
The state has continued to face violent clashes involving armed groups, farming communities and herder communities.
The violence has affected rural settlements in areas including Mangu, Bokkos and Barkin Ladi.
On August 18, armed attackers invaded Binper community in Kombun District of Mangu Local Government Area. More than 20 people were initially reported killed in the attack, while other residents were injured or remained unaccounted for.
The Plateau State Government later said 24 people were killed in the incident when Governor Caleb Mutfwang visited the affected community. Women and children were among those reportedly killed.
The incident added to concerns over the safety of communities in the state, particularly in areas that have witnessed repeated attacks.
The Nigeria Police Force has also previously responded to attacks in Plateau with additional deployments.
In April, following an attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu ordered the deployment of additional security assets and directed that those responsible be arrested.
However, allegations concerning the identity and motivation of attackers in Plateau have remained contentious.
In a recent development, the Plateau chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) warned against attributing the killing of a senior police officer in the state to Fulani people without credible evidence.
The group condemned the killing of CSP Dennis David Babale, Deputy Commander of Operation Rainbow, who was ambushed along the Bokkos-Barkin Ladi road. MACBAN said criminal acts should not automatically be attributed to an ethnic group without evidence.
Earlier this month, Governor Mutfwang summoned the Plateau State Security Council for an urgent review of attacks across the state.
The meeting involved security and law enforcement chiefs, traditional leaders and other officials.
Discussions included intelligence sharing, preventive operations, cooperation among security agencies and the protection of communities.
The issue of violence against Christians has also attracted international attention in recent years, particularly from politicians and advocacy groups in the United States.
In July, former US President Donald Trump commended President Bola Tinubu over steps taken to combat violence affecting Christian communities in Nigeria.
The development followed earlier tensions between Washington and Abuja over allegations concerning the protection of Christians.
Nigeria has consistently maintained that insecurity affects citizens across religious and ethnic lines.
In August, more than 50 Christian and Muslim leaders in Nigeria signed an interfaith peace accord in Abuja aimed at promoting religious harmony and reducing tensions.
In a related development, Politics Nigeria had earlier reported that the Fulani Christian Association of Nigeria rejected attempts to link Fulani Christians with the activities of groups accused of involvement in insecurity.
The association said Fulani Christians should not be identified with the activities or positions of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria.
The clarification was made during a gathering in Miango community, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, which itself has experienced repeated attacks.
