US condemns Kaduna attack; lawmaker urges end to Middle Belt violence

The United States has condemned a July 27 attack on a village in Nigeria's Kaduna State, where at least 30 people, including children, were reportedly killed. The US Bureau of African Affairs stated on X that Washington "condemns the early morning July 27 attack... We express our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the deceased. We will continue to urge the Government of Nigeria to address rampant violence against Christians in the Middle Belt."

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condemns the early morning July 27 attack on a village in Nigeria’s Kaduna State that reportedly killed at least 30 people, including children.

US Representative Riley Moore called the news from the Middle Belt "terrible." While acknowledging progress under the joint US-Nigeria security agreement in the North, Moore stated that more action is needed in the Middle Belt. "President Tinubu must do more to address the violence in the Middle Belt, including securing the safe return of this seminarian," Moore posted on X, referring to Seminarian Kelvin Ochai, who was kidnapped in Benue State. The lawmaker did not provide further details on the abduction.

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We express our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the deceased. We will continue to urge the Government of Nigeria to address rampant violence against Christians in the Middle Belt.

The July 27 attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents in Kaduna and other Middle Belt states. This region, situated between Nigeria's Muslim North and Christian South, experiences recurring clashes often linked to banditry, kidnapping, and communal conflict. The US and Nigeria established a security cooperation framework last year for intelligence sharing, training, and counter-terrorism support, which US officials have cited for gains against insurgency in the Northeast. However, rights groups and US officials remain concerned about attacks on farming communities and places of worship in the Middle Belt. The Bureau of African Affairs' statement highlights Washington's renewed focus on protecting civilians and religious communities in the region.

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terrible.