A United States lawmaker, Chris Smith, has accused the Nigerian government of failing to adequately protect citizens and hold perpetrators accountable following a series of deadly attacks in Plateau State.
Smith, a member of the US House of Representatives, made the remarks after violence in Mangu Local Government Area left communities grieving and homes and farmland destroyed.
According to a report by Kanyi Daily News, several residents believed to be Fulani were killed on August 16 in Jwak Maitumbi community, Mangu LGA, while about 45 residential shelters and large quantities of crops were reportedly destroyed.
Less than 48 hours later, suspected Fulani militia reportedly attacked Bin-Per community in Kombun district of Mangu, killing at least 23 people, including women and children, in what appeared to be a reprisal attack.
The violence has heightened concerns over recurring attacks and retaliatory violence between communities in parts of Plateau State.
On Thursday, troops of Operation Enduring Peace reportedly foiled an attempted attack on Manja community in Mangu after receiving information about armed herders moving with cattle in the area.
The troops were said to have responded after reports that the group was destroying farmlands and attempting to attack the community.
In a statement on Friday, Smith called on the Nigerian government to take immediate steps to protect Christian communities and ensure those responsible for the violence are brought 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.”
Smith spoke alongside Frank Garcia, the US assistant secretary of state for African affairs, who urged Nigeria to meet its commitments to protect Christian communities and 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,” Smith said.
He also criticised what he described as government spending aimed at improving Nigeria’s image in Washington.
“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,” Smith said.
Smith’s comments come amid renewed US scrutiny of religious freedom and security conditions in Nigeria. In February, he and other lawmakers introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, a bill that would require the US secretary of state to compile and submit to Congress a comprehensive report on US efforts to address religious persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria.
The bill, H.R. 7457, was introduced in the House on February 10, 2026, and referred to the House Foreign Affairs and Judiciary committees.
Smith’s latest intervention adds to pressure on Nigerian authorities to strengthen protection for vulnerable communities and ensure perpetrators of attacks are held accountable.
