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The United States has condemned a deadly attack in Nigeria’s Plateau State that killed dozens of people, including children, while were sleeping.
The North American country called on the Nigerian government to protect Christian communities and hold perpetrators accountable.
US Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs to US President Donald Trump, Massad Boulos, said in a post on X on Thursday that he was “deeply disturbed” by the attack.
“I’m deeply disturbed to hear of yet another horrific attack in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where dozens of people were killed in their sleep, including children,” Boulos said.
“My deepest condolences go out to the victims’ families and loved ones. We strongly urge the Nigerian government to uphold its commitments to protect Christian communities and to hold the perpetrators of this violence fully accountable. This violence against Christians must stop immediately.”
I’m deeply disturbed to hear of yet another horrific attack in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where dozens of people were killed in their sleep, including children. My deepest condolences go out to the victims’ families and loved ones. We strongly urge the Nigerian government to uphold…
— U.S. Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs (@US_SrAdvisorAF) August 20, 2026
Boulos’s statement referred to an overnight raid on August 17-18 in the Bin Mper community in the Kombun District of Mangu Local Government Area, Plateau State.
Armed men moved from house to house, killing residents with guns and machetes as they slept. Local officials and residents reported at least 24 to 25 deaths, with women and children accounting for most of the victims. Several others were injured.
Community leaders said the attackers overwhelmed local civilian guards. Victims received a mass burial, and injured residents were treated in hospitals.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International Nigeria also condemned the killings, describing scenes of entire families slaughtered in their homes and calling for an investigation into security failures.
“Gory images obtained by Amnesty International show entire families locked up in one room and slaughtered with mothers having their babies tied to their backs in a pool of blood. In one of the pictures five girls were slaughtered on their mother’s bed,” the rights group said.
“This is perhaps one of the deadliest recent attacks carried out with utter cruelty and disregard for the sanctity of life.”
Amnesty International strongly condemns the killing of 24 people by gunmen during an attack on Bin Mper community, Kombun District of Mangu Local Government Area Plateau state, which took place on Tuesday 18th August, 2026.
Gory images obtained by Amnesty International show… pic.twitter.com/AHPC59URmM
— Amnesty International Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) August 18, 2026
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang visited the community on Thursday, describing the attack as barbaric, senseless and unacceptable and promising strengthened security measures.
“This is not an attack on the community alone; it is an attack on me. I pray that God will grant you peace and comfort. The police have said that some persons have been arrested, and we will follow the matter to its logical conclusion,” Mutfwang said.
Local traditional rulers said residents were asleep when the assault occurred.
