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.

World leaders have called for sustained, more equitable investment in pandemic prevention and preparedness, warning that progress made since COVID-19 will need continued action to protect countries from future outbreaks.

The call was made on Friday at the second United Nations General Assembly High-level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPPR) in New York.

The meeting reviewed progress since the first high-level meeting in 2023, which was convened in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and gaps exposed in global health security.

The World Health Organisation (WHO), in a statement issued on Friday, said countries recognised progress made over the past three years, including the adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement and amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005).

WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus in his remarks emphasised that countries must continue investing in stronger health systems, local and national capacities and equitable access to vaccines, medicines, diagnostics and other health tools.

“The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and exacerbated the fault lines of global health security, and taught the world many painful lessons,” Mr Ghebreyesus said.

He said the political commitments made at the meeting included calls for “concrete, measurable and urgent action” to strengthen health systems and expand equitable access to health products and resources.

Pandemic agreement

Countries also called for the completion of negotiations on an annex to the WHO Pandemic Agreement that would establish a Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system.

The proposed system, according to the WHO, is intended to facilitate the timely sharing of pathogens with pandemic potential and ensure that benefits arising from their use, including vaccines, medicines and diagnostics, are shared equitably.

WHO said adoption of the annex at the World Health Assembly in May 2027 is necessary for member states to begin national consideration of ratifying the Pandemic Agreement.

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, speaking on behalf of Secretary-General António Guterres, urged countries to accelerate the negotiations.

“The Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing System, under negotiation, is critical to unlocking the full potential of the WHO Pandemic Agreement,” Ms Mohammed said.

Lessons from COVID-19

Mr Ghebreyesus said the COVID-19 pandemic was linked to more than 20 million excess deaths between 2020 and 2023 and wiped more than $10 trillion from the global economy.

The meeting also stressed that pandemic preparedness should not be treated solely as a health-sector responsibility.

According to the WHO, countries called for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach involving communities and other sectors.

The political declaration also highlighted the One Health approach, which recognises the links between human, animal and environmental health.

Sustained action

The President of the 81st UN General Assembly, Khalilur Rahman, said international cooperation would be necessary to prepare for future pandemics, including through equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics and other essential medical supplies.

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“We have the knowledge, we have the tools, we have the science and expertise, and we have the hard lessons of COVID-19,” Mr Rahman said at the meeting.

“Let us use them for ourselves, our families and our loved ones. And also in memory of those we lost and in recognition of all those who suffered, needlessly.”

The meeting’s participants stressed that pandemic prevention, preparedness and response should remain a political priority between health emergencies, rather than becoming a focus only when outbreaks occur.