US condemns Plateau attack, urges Nigeria to protect Christian communities
Plateau State
Abdullateef Fowewe
The United States has condemned the deadly overnight attack on Bin Mper village in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, where at least 24 people were killed by armed assailants.
It was gathered that the death toll between 24 and 27, with women and children reportedly among the victims.
Survivours claimed the attackers used guns and machetes while raiding homes in the community during the early hours of Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
In a statement, the US Bureau of African Affairs described the incident as “yet another murderous attack” in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
“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 said the attack was particularly troubling because it occurred shortly after the second US-Nigeria Joint Working Group meeting on August 12, which addressed Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern over religious-freedom issues.
“This is especially troubling coming on the heels of the recent CPC Working Group meeting,” the US statement added.
The Bureau expressed condolences to the families of those killed or still missing and urged the Nigerian government to strengthen the protection of vulnerable communities and ensure that those responsible are prosecuted.
“We strongly urge the Nigerian government to meet their commitments to protect Christian communities and to hold perpetrators of violence accountable,” it said.
The violence occurred amid longstanding conflicts in Plateau and other parts of Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where disputes involving predominantly Christian farming communities and predominantly Muslim Fulani herders have frequently centred on land, grazing routes, and access to resources.
The region has also experienced cycles of reprisal attacks, with communities accusing security agencies of failing to prevent attacks or bring perpetrators to justice.
