WASHINGTON, United States — A United States-based lawyer has petitioned a federal advisory body to examine recent deadly attacks in Nigeria, calling for international intervention amid rising concerns over violence in parts of the country.
Emmanuel Ogebe, in a letter to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, addressed to its chair, Vicky Hartzler, said the incidents represented a pattern of coordinated violence across multiple states.
“I regretfully write to intimate you of a tri-state terror attack yesterday marking yet another bloody Palm Sunday in Nigeria,” Ogebe said.
Coalition Raises Alarm Over Attacks
The letter was accompanied by a statement from the U.S.–Nigeria Civil Society Coalition to End Genocide, which described the incidents as “Bloody Palm Sunday” attacks in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and called for urgent international attention.
“Urgent global action [is] needed after ‘Bloody Palm Sunday’ attacks in Nigeria’s Middle Belt,” the coalition said.
The group said the scale and recurrence of the violence required immediate global response and engagement by international institutions.
Comparisons With Conflict Zones
Ogebe questioned the level of violence in Nigeria compared with countries formally at war.
“In Zike, Plateau State, Nigeria, Fulani militia killed 54 people… Twenty more people were slaughtered… Ukraine is at war… Nigeria is at peace,” he said.
The coalition also cited what it described as repeated failures to act on intelligence warnings.
“Despite advance warnings… affected communities were left without adequate security protection,” the statement said.
Calls for Recognition and Accountability
The coalition urged the United States and the United Nations to formally recognise the attacks as potential atrocity crimes.
“We call on the United States Government… and the United Nations to recognise these targeted killings as potential atrocity crimes requiring urgent attention,” the statement said.
It also called on Nigerian authorities to ensure accountability through investigations and prosecutions.
“We demand independent and transparent investigations… All perpetrators must be identified, arrested, and prosecuted,” the group added.
Warning Ahead of Easter Period
Ogebe warned that failure to prevent further attacks during the Easter period could raise questions about official responses.
“Failure to prevent further predictable attacks… will be seen as complicity or complacency,” he said.
The petition reflects increasing international advocacy efforts seeking broader engagement from foreign governments and multilateral institutions over Nigeria’s security situation.
