Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), chair of the House Subcommittee on Africa, released the following statement after dozens were reported killed in attacks on three communities in Nigeria's Benue State, following the deaths of 19 people in an April 24 attack on St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Benue State:

     “The continued killing of innocents based on religious and ethnic differences in Nigeria is alarming. President Buhari’s prompt statement in response is encouraging and gives hope that his ensuing actions will demonstrate that he governs for the benefit of all Nigerians, irrespective of their religious or ethnic affiliations. This divisive violence underscores the need for a religious equity commission, which some have proposed and appears long overdue.”