The United States Department of State has condemned the recent Palm Sunday killings in Jos, Plateau State, describing the attack as unacceptable, while calling on the Nigerian government to wake up to its responsibility to strengthen security, particularly ahead of the Easter celebrations. The principal advisor for global religious freedom, Mark Walker, in a statement shared on Facebook yesterday by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs, urged Nigerian authorities to act swiftly in the interest of the country.
The statement said, “We call on the Nigerian government to significantly ramp up security for Christians ahead of and during Easter. We recognise and appreciate the steps the Government of Nigeria has taken to improve security; however, the targeted killing of Christians, especially on Christian holidays, is unacceptable. We urge the Nigerian leadership to engage and to do so now."
This is happening at a time when the violence in Jos and surrounding communities in Plateau State is escalating, with gunmen reportedly targeting predominantly Christian areas, resulting in the deaths of several residents and injuries to many others.
While Tinubu visited the Jos Plateau State yesterday to commemorate with the victims of the attacks' families, the incident has disrupted religious activities marking the beginning of the Holy Week and heightened fears among residents.
Local sources said the assailants stormed communities in the early hours, shooting sporadically and setting homes ablaze, forcing many to flee, while disappearing into thin air without a trace.