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Routine killings in Plateau unacceptable; Nigerian govt must stop further bloodshed:U.S. Lawmaker
A U.S. lawmaker and Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, Chris Smith, has condemned Palm Sunday attack in Anguwan Rukuba, Plateau State, lamenting continued failure of government to prevent such attacks.
In a statement on Wednesday, Mr Smith condemned what described as “the recent deadly attacks perpetrated against Christian communities in Nigeria’s Plateau State.”
He said, “The Nigerian government has a fundamental responsibility—and constitutional duty—to protect all its citizens, regardless of their faith. The continued failure to prevent and intercept these targeted attacks not only deepens human suffering, but also threatens the fabric of religious coexistence in the region. The need for the government to step up and protect the lives and religious liberty of Nigerians cannot be overstated.
“My wife, Marie, and I were absolutely horrified by the brutal massacres that occurred in the Jos North area of Nigeria on Palm Sunday, which have reportedly left at least 20 innocent people dead. These savage killings, targeting Christians as they gathered during one of the most sacred times of the year, are incredibly heartbreaking and absolutely unacceptable.”
Mr Smith said the recurrence of such attack which occurred same time last year was a call for decisive actions, urging the U.S. to stand in solidarity with the Christian community in Nigeria.
“Tragically, this violence follows a deeply disturbing pattern. On Palm Sunday just last year, similar attacks in Plateau State claimed the lives of at least 54 Christians. The fact that such atrocities are repeated year after year—on the same holy day—underscores the urgent need for decisive action,” Mr Smith said.
He added, “The United States must continue to stand in solidarity with the persecuted Christians and all other victims of religious violence in Nigeria. I call on Nigerian authorities to act swiftly to prevent further bloodshed and ensure that this Holy Week is not marred by more tragedy.”
Mr Smith is the third American lawmaker condemning the Plateau killings after Riley Moore and Ted Cruz.
Frequent attacks and increasing death toll have sparked reactions and public outrage from within and outside the country with many lashing out at President Bola Tinubu’s government for failing to protect lives and property.
Citing Palm Sunday and past attacks recorded in Plateau State in recent times, Amnesty International berated Mr Tinubu for “failing to protect lives.”
“With the death toll from the Palm Sunday attack in central Nigeria surpassing 30 people, the Nigerian authorities must investigate the inexcusable security lapses that enabled the horrific attack by gunmen on motorbikes on Anguwan Rukuba community of Jos North LGA of Plateau State.
“The area, nature of the attack and timing show how increasingly vulnerable people are to being killed anywhere and anytime. More dead bodies are still being found and conveyed to the morgue. Plateau State is increasingly becoming unsafe,” Amnesty International said in a statement on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Mr Tinubu, in a statement by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, decried the attack, assuring citizens that his government was procuring equipment to support security agencies in combating insecurity in the country.
Mr Tinubu announced he would be visiting Plateau State over the incident.
Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old man, John Umar Shehu, for allegedly impersonating a Nigerian Army personnel, attacking his prospective employer and stealing his vehicle.
The suspect, a native of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, was arrested over alleged criminal impersonation, criminal breach of trust, assault and theft.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, October 30, 2026.
According to the statement, the command received a written petition on October 22 from a resident of Gida Dubu area of Bauchi, who alleged that the suspect had contacted him seeking employment as a driver at his pure water factory.
The petitioner said the suspect contacted him on October 18 and was invited for an interview and driving assessment.
However, during the assessment on October 22, the suspect allegedly attacked the factory owner and the son of one of his neighbours before fleeing with the employer's vehicle.
The stolen vehicle was identified as a white H-Jet motor vehicle with registration number AE-278-ALK. A green Infinix Smart 5X mobile phone was also reportedly stolen.
The police said detectives subsequently launched an investigation and arrested the suspect through intelligence-led policing.
A search conducted on him led to the recovery of several Nigerian Army uniforms and military items, including desert camouflage, green camouflage, a jungle hat, an Army raincoat, a camouflage vest and an Army sweater.
The stolen vehicle was also recovered from the suspect in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
The statement said the suspect allegedly presented himself as Private Umar Shehu, with service number NA/22/82/1064, claiming to be attached to the 7 Division, Maimalari Barracks, 134 Special Forces Battalion, Borno State.
The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the alleged impersonation, warning that the command would not tolerate the use of security agencies' identities to perpetrate crimes.
He said: "The Command will not tolerate criminal impersonation of security agencies to perpetrate crime."
The police commissioner further assured that the suspect would be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.
He added: "The suspect will be diligently investigated and charged to court."
The police said the arrest followed intelligence-led policing, while the recovered vehicle and military items would serve as exhibits in the investigation.
Bauchi police arrest fake soldier accused of attacking employer, stealing vehicle
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashir Obasa, has declared that the gubernatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, Dr Obafemi Hamzat has what it takes to succeed the current Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Obasa made this declaration while addressing journalists at Hamzat's formal manifesto presentation.
The event was held at Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.
Our correspondent reports that the event took place on Friday.
DAILY POST gathered that Hamzat is the current deputy governor of the state.
He eyed the position in 2019 before he was persuaded to deputise the current governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Obasa while speaking at the event on Friday, expressed confidence in Hamzat's ability to deliver on his campaign promises.
He explained that Hamzat’s educational background and wealth of experience in private and public offices are enough for him to deliver.
Obasa while speaking said, "He has the competence, character, and most importantly, the determination to rewrite the Lagos State socio-economic narrative".
Lagos 2027: ‘Hamzat has what it takes to succeed Sanwo-Olu’ – Obasa
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