US lawmaker raises concern over attacks on Christian communities in Plateau

United States Representative Anna Paulina Luna has expressed concern over recent violence in Nigeria, particularly attacks affecting Christian communities in Plateau State.

Luna, a Republican representing Florida’s 13th Congressional District, raised the issue in a social-media post on Friday and called for action over the violence. Her current House membership and district are confirmed by the US House of Representatives.

The congresswoman alleged that armed groups had recently attacked Christian communities in Plateau and said civilians were facing serious security threats.

She also referred to reports involving the killing of a pastor and church secretary, attacks on people travelling in vehicles and other violent incidents.

Luna characterised some of the suspected perpetrators as Fulani militias and Islamist extremists. Those descriptions represent her allegations and characterisation and should not be presented as independently established findings about every recent attack.

Plateau State has experienced repeated deadly violence involving communities with overlapping ethnic, religious and livelihood identities.

In August, at least 25 people were killed in an overnight attack in Mangu Local Government Area, according to local officials and residents cited by Reuters. Reuters noted that violence in Plateau has often involved tensions and retaliatory attacks between farming and herding communities.

Following another series of killings, the Nigerian military moved the tactical headquarters of Operation Enduring Peace from Jos to Mangu as part of efforts to improve security response in affected communities.

Luna also tagged senior US officials in her post while calling for attention to the security situation.