Ololade Adeyanju/
The United States has condemned the deadly attack in Plateau State in which at least 25 people were killed while asleep in their homes, urging the Nigerian government to fulfil its commitments to protect Christian communities and bring the perpetrators to justice.
In a statement posted on Wednesday, the US Bureau of African Affairs described the incident as “yet another murderous attack” in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and said it was “especially troubling” because it came shortly after the latest US-Nigeria Country of Particular Concern (CPC) Working Group meeting.
“The United States is horrified by yet another murderous attack in the Middle Belt of Nigeria, killing dozens of people asleep in their homes in Plateau State,” the statement said.
Washington added, “We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those missing and killed, and we strongly urge the Nigerian government to meet their commitments to protect Christian communities and to hold perpetrators of violence accountable.”
The attack took place in Mangu Local Government Area on Tuesday, with local officials and residents reporting at least 25 deaths.
The US condemnation comes just days after the second session of the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group on Nigeria’s CPC designation, held in Washington on August 12.
US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker, said the meeting, attended by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and a high-level Nigerian delegation, produced “concrete steps” to protect Christians facing violence.
“The United States remains steadfastly committed to safeguarding Christian communities,” Hooker said, adding that Washington expected “continued progress” on the measures agreed.
The talks focused on protecting Christian communities in the Middle Belt, strengthening judicial and security institutions to hold perpetrators accountable and deepening military-to-military cooperation.
The two sides also reviewed counter-terrorism prosecutions, terrorism financing and the return of internally displaced people to their ancestral communities.
The timing of the Plateau massacre has given Washington’s latest demand for action added weight, placing Nigeria’s security commitments under an immediate and highly visible test.
The attack has also intensified pressure in Washington over Nigeria’s CPC status. US Congressman Riley Moore said the latest killings demonstrated why Nigeria’s designation should not be lifted.
“This is exactly why the @StateDept cannot lift Nigeria’s CPC designation,” Moore said.
Nigeria was designated a CPC by the US in October 2025 over concerns about severe violations of religious freedom. The designation had previously been removed in 2021.
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