Benue Insecurity: Zaki Biam Residents Pay Kidnappers N100,000 for Protection.

Residents of Zaki Biam in Ukum LGA, Benue State, are gripped by fear as criminal activities escalate, including kidnapping threats, motorcycle theft, and suspected cult operations.

A community source told Vanguard correspondent over the weekend that residents have been receiving calls from unknown individuals demanding money and threatening abduction. 

“People are scared because these callers sound serious and very coordinated. We need urgent help before things get out of hand,” he said.

He added that insecurity has worsened due to the activities of an alleged cult group that reportedly meets at the shop of its suspected leader, located at the former SSS office along Yam Market bypass. 

“These boys meet both during the day and very late at night. Their activities are suspicious, and everyone in the area is worried about what they are planning.”

Motorcycle theft has also surged. Thieves reportedly target riders at night, creating heightened tension in a community where motorcycles are essential for transport and livelihood. “Because all the motorcycle thefts have happened at night, people no longer move around freely once it gets dark,” he said.

The fear is intensified by kidnapping threats. “One case involved a POS operator who allegedly paid ₦100,000 after being threatened by criminals who warned they would kidnap him if he refused. Imagine receiving a call telling you to send money or you will be taken away. That is the kind of fear people here are living with every day,” he added.

Residents are calling for urgent intervention from security agencies. “We are appealing to the government and security operatives to come to our rescue. Lives and property are no longer safe, and something must be done urgently,” he lamented.

Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful at press time.

Insecurity: Steel Development, Defence Ministers Sign MoU For Military Hardware Production
The MoU also covers the construction of a military industrial complex at the Ajaokuta steel territory in Kogi State.

NAFDAC to Enforce Ban on Small-Packaged Alcohol from January 2026.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced a firm December 2025 deadline for the prohibition of alcoholic beverages sold in sachets and bottles under 200 millilitres, with full enforcement set to begin in January 2026.

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency’s Director-General, emphasized that there will be no further extensions of the ban, urging manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to comply fully.

Supported by the Senate and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the ban aims to protect children, adolescents, and young adults from the harmful effects of alcohol abuse.

Adeyeye highlighted that small, cheap, and easily concealable alcoholic drinks contribute to addiction and have fueled social vices, including road accidents, domestic violence, school dropouts, and other forms of insecurity. “This ban is protective, not punitive. The health of our nation, especially our children, is more important than short-term economic gain,” she stated.

Prof. Adeyeye underscored that the ban aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to the World Health Organization’s Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol. She also urged Nigerians to view the measure as a collective responsibility, emphasizing that alcohol misuse among children poses a long-term threat to the nation’s security and workforce.

“The decision is grounded in science, public health, and national interest. Protecting our children and ensuring the stability of our future workforce is not just NAFDAC’s duty it is a responsibility for all Nigerians,” she concluded.

'Under My Watch, America Couldn’t Act in Africa Without Informing Nigeria’ — Fmr. Pres. Obasanjo.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says that during his time as Nigeria’s Head of State, the United States under late President Jimmy Carter did not take any major action in Africa without informing Nigeria.

Obasanjo made the statement on Monday in Abeokuta during the Presidential Youth Mentorship Retreat organized by the Youth Development Centre of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.

His remarks come amid ongoing reactions to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning that America could deploy troops to Nigeria if the Federal Government fails to stop killing linked to jihadist groups. 

The Federal Government has since rejected Trump’s comments, insisting insecurity affects all groups and is being addressed.

While Obasanjo did not mention the controversy directly, he recalled a period when Nigeria was regarded as Africa’s clear leader. He said Nigeria once commanded strong international respect, noting that Carter would always notify Nigeria before any U.S. move in Africa.

“They were not seeking permission, but they would inform us,” he said.

Obasanjo added that his administration and that of the late Gen. Murtala Mohammed restored Nigeria’s global standing after what he described as a loss of confidence following independence.

“At independence, the world saw Nigeria as a giant. Soon after, we lost that. When Muritala and I came in, we brought it back,” he said.

Addressing the youths at the retreat, Obasanjo urged them to be “positively disruptive” to take up leadership roles rather than waiting indefinitely. He cited examples of sit-tight leaders across Africa and cautioned that if youths leave the future to current leaders, “there may be no tomorrow left to inherit.”

“You have the numbers,” he said, “but the number only matters when you use it.”

NewsAmerica sneezes, Nigeria catches fever – Ejiofor reveals why Trump’s move angers politicians.

Social critic and legal practitioner, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor says Nigerian politicians are angry over President Donald Trump’s decision to wipe out terrorists from the country mainly for self-preservation.

In a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Saturday, the lawyer said “many people have turned insecurity into a thriving enterprise”.

He opined that those “crying foul” since Trump designated Nigeria as Country of Particular Concerns and threatened military action over alleged Christian genocide “are simply afraid of losing their political bargaining chip”.

He said, “America sneezes and Nigeria catches a fever. When Donald Trump recently declared his intention to “wipe out the monsters committing genocide against Christians in Nigeria”, you could almost hear the political class jump in unison.

“Suddenly, we became born-again defenders of sovereignty, those that failed to protect children in Chibok, girls in Dapchi, or farmers in Benue. How convenient!

“Let’s be clear: the noise isn’t about patriotism. It’s about self-preservation. Too many people have turned insecurity into a thriving enterprise: those who negotiate ransoms, those who supply arms, those who collect “security votes” without securing anything, and those who profit politically from fear”.

According to the lawyer, the “prospect of a foreign force dismantling this network terrifies them, not because they love Nigeria, but because it would collapse their cash cow.

“The world knew the scale of our tragedy long before any single politician made headlines. Human-rights organisations and investigators have documented widespread atrocities and urged accountability. Thousands of lives have been lost, millions displaced, and entire communities erased from maps. The evidence is on every Nigerian lip, every burnt village, and every weeping IDP camp.

Trump’s threat: America couldn’t do anything without our knowledge under my watch – Obasanjo.

In a veiled remark on the ongoing controversy over President Donald Trump’s military invasion threat on Nigeria, the former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday disclosed that under his watch as the Nigeria’s Head of State, late United States President Jimmy Carter would not do anything in Africa without his knowledge.

It would be recalled Trump, in a series of posts on X between October 31 and November 1, condemned continued killings in Nigeria, declaring America’s readiness to send its military to Nigeria if the Federal Government failed to stop the killings by jihadist groups, the remarks which has sparked divergent reactions from both the Federal Government and prominent Nigerian leaders and religious organizations in past weeks.

The federal government particularly rejected Trump’s allegations, insisting that the country’s insecurity affects all religious groups.

Speaking on Monday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the Presidential Youth Mentorship Retreat (6.0) organised by the Youth Development Centre, an arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Obasanjo did not make a direct remark to the ongoing controversy, but he tactfully recalled how the US under Carter held Nigeria in high esteem.

Obasanjo and Cater, who died recently in December 2024, were regarded as best of friends.

In January this year, Obasanjo held a memorial service in Abeokuta in honour of Carter, where he paid glowing tributes to the late US President who died at age 100.

According to Obasanjo, right from independence, the world and indeed America saw Nigeria as Africa’s leader, saying the country lost the confidence at some point before the Muritala-Obasanjo military regime “brought it back. “

Going down memory lane, Obasanjo said Cater as the US President would not do anything on African soil without informing the Nigerian government when he was Head of State.

Islamic Affairs Council rejects claims of Christian Genocide in Nigeria.

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has rejected claims of a Christian Genocide in Nigeria, describing them as false, politically motivated, and dangerous. At a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday, Secretary-General Prof. Is-haq Oloyede said the narrative promoted by some Western media and political figures aims to destabilize the country.

Oloyede stressed that the violence in Nigeria is driven by poverty, criminality, and climate-related migration, rather than religious persecution. He stated, “There is no Christian terrorism. There is no Muslim terrorism. There is no religious intolerance in Nigeria. The tragedy we face stems from poverty, climate change, poor governance, and armed criminals exploiting divisions, while parts of the world use the situation for geopolitical gain.”

His remarks come after US President Donald Trump condemned alleged mass killings of Christians in Nigeria and warned of possible military action if the government fails to act.

Oloyede accused certain separatist groups, foreign lobbyists, and US politicians of manipulating insecurity in Nigeria to push fabricated statistics and doctored videos, seeking punitive measures against the country.

The NSCIA urged both the Nigerian government and the international community to dismiss the “false and destabilizing” claims. Oloyede called on President Trump to provide intelligence and logistical support instead of engaging in smear campaigns. He emphasized unity among Nigerians, stating, “There is no Muslim terrorism or Christian terrorism in Nigeria—only criminals exploiting our divisions.”

Genocide: Slam treasonable felony charges on those who reported Nigeria to Trump – Group.

The National Patriotic Elders for Peace and Harmony of Nigeria, has urged President Tinubu to slam Treasonable Felony charges against citizens who reported alleged massacre of Christians to America.

Speaking in a press release, President of the Elders, Dr Bature AbdulAziz, said what those who lack patriotism and respect for Nigeria did was nothing but treasonable felony, which they should be prosecuted for..

“Nigeria is a sovereign Country with sufficient laws and legal backings to take care of every concerns of it’s Citizens, therefore, reporting to other Countries is nothing but downgrading the sovereignty of the nation and anybody who does that should be punished.”

The Forum urged Northern Governors to immediately converge a regional meeting, involving all religious and ethnic groups to discuss issues surrounding critical insecurity challenges and the continued killings of innocent citizens.

He said the silence of the Northern Governor’s in the face of the growing American President Donald Trump’s threats of war is not golden, asking them to document all killings and present a detailed report of insurgent activities based on different demographics and attributes.

“The assumption that over 500,000 Christians were killed should be backed with facts, data and figures by the Northern Governors before the appropriate authorities and stakeholders, this could only be done when the governors are serious”

AbdulAziz claimed that the American government is fully aware, with backed data, that the motive of the killings in Nigeria are not driven by ethnicity, religious or regional categories.

“A Cross fact checking would clearly show that must of those killed from 1999 to date, 75 percent are Muslims across the country and places and towns affected by this grave insecurity are muslim populated areas. Often times, these communities and towns are burned, lynched and destroyed”.

We’re No Longer Burying People Like Before’ CAN Chairman Makes Bold Claim.

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Rev. Joseph John Hayab, has said that the era of constant killings in Kaduna State is gradually fading away under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani.

Speaking in Kaduna on Sunday, Hayab explained that residents are beginning to experience peace after years of tension and insecurity.

He said the relative calm has restored confidence among citizens who once lived in fear.

“We’re no longer burying people like before,” he stated. “To a large extent, people are no longer scared to travel to certain places. Even curfews that used to be imposed at the slightest tension are no longer common. There is new life in Kaduna.”

According to him, the improvement in security is largely due to the inclusive and open style of governance adopted by Governor Uba Sani, which has encouraged trust and dialogue between the government and the people.

“In the past, people didn’t trust the system. They saw the government as being against them. But now, people are free to speak, and the government is willing to listen. This openness is helping to sustain peace,” he said.

Rev. Hayab noted that though isolated security incidents still occur, large-scale attacks that once made headlines have drastically reduced.

“Before, we were hearing about 20 or 200 people being killed at once. Now, such reports are rare. The reduction shows progress,” he added.

UK warns against travel to six Nigerian states over rising insecurity.

The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office has issued a fresh warning against travel to parts of Nigeria, citing escalating insecurity, violent crime, terrorism, and kidnappings across multiple regions.

In its latest Foreign Travel Advice published on GOV.UK and sighted by our correspondent on Sunday, the FCDO stated, “Insecurity is increasing across Nigeria. Kidnapping, violent crime, and intercommunal violence occur throughout all regions of Nigeria.”

The advisory urged British nationals to exercise extreme caution, review safety procedures, and ensure they have contingency plans in place.

The FCDO advised against all travel to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina, and Zamfara states, citing a “high and increasing threat from Boko Haram or Islamic State West Africa, particularly around transport hubs, religious areas and large gatherings.”

The statement warned that “humanitarian personnel, vehicles, supplies, and infrastructure can be targeted by terrorists and criminals.”

In addition, the UK government advised against all but essential travel to Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Plateau, and Taraba states, as well as the outer suburbs of Abuja within the Federal Capital Territory.

The FCDO said, “Violent crime, often involving firearms, has increased and spread from the outer suburbs to more central, wealthier areas of the city.”

It added that “British Government staff in Nigeria have been advised to restrict travel to an area broadly within the Abuja metropolitan area.”

"Bandits Are On a Revenge Mission But They’re Ready for Peace Talks Unlike IPOB That Wants To Leave Nigeria" – Sheikh Gumi.

Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has once again stirred controversy by defending armed bandit groups operating across northern Nigeria, insisting that their attacks are driven by “revenge missions” rather than unprovoked violence.

Speaking in an interview on Trust TV on Friday, monitored by SaharaReporters, Gumi argued that Fulani herdsmen and bandit groups “do not attack people without cause.”

He referenced a past visit by former Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda to meet thousands of bandits in the forest, claiming the armed groups complained of losing family members and suffering various forms of hostility.

“Yes, I know they have killed, and it’s wrong to kill anybody innocent. This is absolutely an obnoxious thing to do. We don’t support that. But if you know their psychology, they are on a revenge mission,”
Gumi stated.

While acknowledging the violence perpetrated by the groups, the cleric insisted they were motivated by grievances rooted in perceived injustices, stressing that Fulani herdsmen had lived peacefully with other communities for centuries.

He urged the Tinubu administration to prioritize dialogue, rehabilitation, and reintegration, rather than relying heavily on military offensives.

“What the government needs to do is bring them together in a holistic form so that there is peace. They are ready for that. If you call them for peace, they come,”
Gumi added.

The cleric also sparked further debate by contrasting the bandits with members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), whom he accused of rejecting dialogue and pursuing secession.

“It’s unlike IPOB. The government has been trying to dialogue with them; they refuse. They are secessionists. Besides being terrorists, they are secessionists. Well, these people (bandits) are not secessionists. They want peace,”
he said.

Gumi has repeatedly advocated for amnesty and negotiation with bandits, a position that has drawn widespread criticism amid escalating insecurity in the North.

Ecowas Rejects Claims of Religious Genocide in West Africa.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has dismissed claims that any religious group is being systematically targeted in West Africa.

ECOWAS expressed serious concern over growing terrorist attacks across the region, including Nigeria, and warned against misinformation that could inflame divisions among communities. This follows US President Donald Trump’s assertion that Christians in Nigeria face systematic persecution and his subsequent declaration of the country as a “Country of Particular Concern,” along with threats of cutting aid and possible military intervention.

President Bola Tinubu rejected these claims, affirming that Nigeria remains a democracy committed to constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion and belief.

In a formal statement ahead of the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, President Tinubu emphasized the government’s resolve to defeat terrorism through diplomatic engagement and national unity, guided by the Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at building a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient nation.

In its communiqué dated November 4, 2025, ECOWAS urged the United Nations and international partners to increase support for member states combating terrorist groups whose activities have caused widespread devastation and loss of life. The bloc stressed that extremist violence targets civilians of all faiths, ethnicity, gender, and age, and strongly rejected claims suggesting a genocide against any particular religious group, warning that such narratives could undermine social cohesion and worsen insecurity.

ECOWAS called on the international community to stand in solidarity with West African nations in their fight against terrorism and violent extremism, emphasizing that coordinated regional and global efforts are crucial to protecting all communities and ensuring lasting peace.

You Stay In Lagos Protesting Against Trump? Come To Where The Bullets Are Being Fired - El-Buba.

Renowned clergyman, Prophet Isa El-Buba has taken to his official X handle to voice his displeasure over the antics of those who took to the streets in Lagos State to protest against President Donald Trump's threat. According to the statements which were shared on his official X handle, he urged them to come to where the bullets were being fired.

Many were left stunned after several protesters took to the streets of Lagos State with placards to demand that president Donald Trump do not act on his threats after redesigning Nigeria as a country of particular concern.

The demonstrators surfaced few hours after several others took over the streets of Kano State make similar demands, an action which caught public attention, drawing mixed reactions from different quarters.

However, a senior clergyman, Prophet Isa El-Buba in a recent statement which was published on his official X handle on Saturday November 8th 2025, found the antics of the protesters not only unnecessary, but also treacherous.

According to his statements, he pointed out that those protesting in Lagos State had little knowledge of what was going on in the North and dared them to come to the North and protest with their full chest.

The Clergyman, who had been vocal over the insecurity challenges, particularly in the Northern region, disclosed that the killings and bloodsheds were real, and urged those who wanted to stand for the truth to come to the scene of action.

Nigerian Shari’ah Council Asks Tinubu To Immediately Sack INEC Chairman, Prof Amupitan Over 'Legal Brief On Genocide’.

The Shari'ah Council's call on Saturday followed SaharaReporters’ exclusive report that revealed that Professor Amupitan once authored a legal brief in 2020 containing

The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately reverse the appointment of the newly inaugurated Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan.

The Shari'ah Council's call on Saturday followed SaharaReporters’ exclusive report that revealed that Professor Amupitan once authored a legal brief in 2020 containing

exclusively obtained the report titled "Nigeria's Silent Slaughter" where the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, in his legal brief, called for urgent intervention to stop what he termed “pogrom and attacks against the Christians and minority groups in Nigeria.”

Amupitan, recently appointed by President Bola Tinubu to head the country's electoral commission, had titled his contribution, “Legal Brief: Genocide in Nigeria – The Implications for the International Community."

The document published by the International Committee on Nigeria (ICON), a global advocacy network promoting human rights and religious freedom — was officially signed under Amupitan’s law firm, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) & Co., Legal Practitioners & Corporate Consultants, with offices in Jos and Abuja.

The Shari'ah council described Amupitan's legal brief as “provocative, distorted and bigoted assertions” against Muslims in Northern Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Friday, November 7, 2025 (16th Jumada I 1447 AH), the SCSN said it received with “deep disappointment and grave concern” the SaharaReporters investigation alleging that Amupitan’s 2020 legal document characterised Northern violence as “Christian genocide” and linked the insecurity in the North to the 19th-century Jihad of Sheikh Uthman bn Fodio.

Trump’s threat: Whoever wrote your October 1 speech doesn’t like you, Pastor Adeboye tells Tinubu.

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has criticised a section of President Bola Tinubu’s October 1 Independence Day speech on security, saying whoever wrote the speech for the president “does not like him.”

Speaking during the November Holy Ghost Service at the Redemption City Campground, Adeboye said, “I almost spoke last month when I heard the speech of my in-law (Tinubu), particularly that section that spoke about security. I heard him saying all is well now, that displaced people have returned to their villages. I almost said the one who wrote that speech does not like him. Somebody wrote it, but it was the President who read it. There are several people around Tinubu who are not telling him the truth. The following day, we read that a traditional ruler was killed in Kwara or Kogi.”

Adeboye noted that while the President inherited Nigeria’s security challenges, the focus should now be on taking decisive action to resolve them.

“Our President inherited this problem. I am an applied mathematician; I am only interested in getting the problem solved.”

He also urged the Federal Government to move wisely, diplomatically, and decisively in addressing insecurity and the alleged killings of Christians in some parts of the country.

“If I am asked to make suggestions, I will say quietly to the governments to move wisely, diplomatically. I have cousins. There were times in Nigeria when Christians and Muslims were living together. I have families that are Muslims till date. When I was little, I ate sari with them, and I still eat my breakfast, but the issue of religion started when politics came into religion.”

The cleric said he had privately advised past presidents on the security crisis but noted that his role was limited to offering counsel.

“All the presidents who were around when this trouble started, whatever I discussed is top privacy. I have done my best behind the scenes, but as I have always told you, you can only advise a Commander-in-Chief; you cannot command him. But I have tried. God is my witness.”

Alleged Genocide: Christian Council says Trump’s intervention is an answered prayer, not an invasion.

The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) has urged Nigerians to view the recent US designation of the country as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) not as an invasion, but as a call to tackle the nation’s decades-long insecurity challenges.

In a statement signed by Most Rev. Dr. David Onuoha, President, and Rt. Rev. Dr. Evans Onyemara, General Secretary, CCN said: “This is not the time to debate the existence of Christian persecution in Nigeria. Political, ethnic, and religious divisions must be set aside so that all Nigerians can work together to confront this crisis decisively. Instead of spinning conspiracy theories around the US warning, leaders should focus on collaborating with international partners to confront these enemies of humanity, whether local or foreign.”

CCN emphasized that the continued lack of political will to stop the widespkkread violence including killings, kidnappings, banditry, and religious intolerance is a grave reflection of Nigeria’s deteriorating mooral and governance standards. “Every life lost diminishes our humanity and offends the image of God. While insecurity is not new, protecting citizens remains the sacred duty of any government,” the council said.

The faith-based organization called on all Nigerians of goodwill to pray fervently for the nation, stressing that peace is not merely the absence of war but the presence of justice. CCN reaffirmed its commitment to working with government, civil society, and international partners to build a just, peaceful, and united Nigeria where every individual’s dignity is protected.

“History will be kind to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu if he seizes this opportunity to end the long-standing killings in the country. Every right-thinking Nigerian should pray for him to have the wisdom and courage to act decisively,” the statement concluded.

"Despite receiving billions of Dollars in military assistance, Nigeria has failed to curb killings or safeguard Christians" — U.S. lawmaker alleges

United States lawmaker Riley Moore, who chairs President Donald Trump’s investigative committee on alleged killings of Christians in Nigeria has criticized the Nigerian government for failing to justify the significant military assistance it has received from Washington

In an interview on the Dinesh D’Souza programme, Moore said Christians in Nigeria were facing what he described as an ongoing “genocide,” alleging that the violence has continued “under the radar” with minimal global attention. He expressed concern that despite years of US-funded training, equipment & security support running into billions of dollars, the Nigerian government has not prioritized the protection of Christian communities

“My brothers & sisters in Christ are being murdered for practicing their faith,” he said, accusing both Nigerian authorities & the international community of neglect.

Moore warned that if the situation deteriorates further, the United States may be forced to respond. “If we don’t address this and terrorists take hold in Nigeria, we would have to act one way or another,” he said, stressing that he preferred a cooperative approach with the Nigerian government.

He added that the “pieces are already in place” for Nigeria to tackle the violence but insisted that stronger political will was needed. Moore also praised President Trump for his “decisive leadership,” saying he would soon submit a full report to him.

Trump recently redesignated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” claiming that Christians are being killed on a large scale and warning that the US could cut aid or consider military measures if the attacks continue. He directed Moore and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole to immediately review the situation and report back.

The Nigerian government has rejected the allegations, insisting there is no targeted genocide against Christians and noting that insecurity affects citizens across religious and ethnic lines.

U.S. Bill Seeks Visa Bans, Asset Freezes for Miyetti Allah Over Religious Freedom Violations.

A new bill before the United States Congress has proposed targeted sanctions on Nigerian individuals and groups accused of severe violations of religious freedom, naming the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore among entities of concern.

The legislation, introduced on Tuesday by House Representative Smith Christopher, recommends visa restrictions and asset freezes for members of the listed groups. Christopher also praised President Donald Trump for re-designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) under US law.

In the bill, “Fulani-Ethnic Militias” operating in Benue and Plateau states were also placed on the Entities of Particular Concern (EPC) list reserved for non-state actors implicated in serious religious freedom abuses. Previously designated EPCs include Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa, ISIS-Sahel, the Taliban, and the Houthis.

The development came the same day US Senator Ted Cruz renewed pressure on Abuja, vowing to hold Nigerian officials accountable over what he described as evidence of a Christian gen+cide. Cruz, who in October proposed the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, said he would soon name officials he believes enabled religious persecution.

His earlier bill sought sanctions against federal or state officials accused of promoting or enforcing blasphemy laws.

The Nigerian government has consistently rejected such allegations, insisting that insecurity across the country is driven by criminal activity rather than religious motivations.

Soludo to Trump: "Christians are killing Christians in the South-East".

Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has firmly rejected allegations that Christians in Nigeria’s South-East are facing a religious genocide, insisting that such claims distort the true nature of the region’s insecurity.

Speaking during a live media chat on Channels Television, Soludo said the violence is driven by deep-seated social, economic and political issues not religious persecution. His comments come on the heels of U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent accusation that the Nigerian government is enabling widespread killings of Christians, with a threat of possible military intervention to “protect” them.

Soludo dismissed the narrative, arguing that the crisis is being mischaracterized by international voices unfamiliar with the region’s realities.
“There is a deeper conversation and introspection about what goes on in the country,” he said.

“In this part of eastern Nigeria, it is not religious. People are killing themselves Christians killing Christians. The people in the bushes are Emmanuel, Peter, and John, all Christian names, and they have maimed and killed thousands of our youths. It has nothing to do with religion.”

The former Central Bank governor explained that the South-East is overwhelmingly Christian about 95 percent making it illogical to frame the killings as targeted persecution of Christians by another faith group.
“It is wider than the categorisation of Christians and Muslims,” he noted. “Nigeria will overcome, and it will end in conversation.”

While acknowledging America’s right to express concerns, Soludo emphasized that any international action must “still align with international law,” stressing that external interventions must be grounded in accurate understanding rather than sensational claims.

The governor’s remarks add to ongoing debates about the root causes of insecurity in the South-East, which many local leaders describe as a complex mix of separatist agitation, criminality and socio-economic frustration rather than religious conflict.

TVC Host Nyma Akashat-Zibiri Faults President Trump’s Threats, Says Nigeria’s Sovereignty Must Be Respected.

TVC’s Your View co-host, Nyma Akashat-Zibiri, has condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of possible military intervention in Nigeria, calling it an affront to the country’s sovereignty.

Speaking on the latest episode of the show, Akashat-Zibiri acknowledged Nigeria’s security challenges but insisted that no foreign president has the right to announce military action without first engaging Nigerian authorities.

“There’s insecurity, yes, but how can a president just wake up and threaten our country without even calling ours?” she asked. “Who says we have any treaty that allows the U.S. to enter Nigeria without permission? Are we not a sovereign nation anymore?”

She questioned the sincerity behind Washington’s sudden concern, recalling previous moments when Nigeria sought help and received little support. Akashat-Zibiri also referenced a past U.S. operation in Borno, saying American forces entered the country without proper clearance.

The TV host noted that foreign interference in Africa is often tied to resource interests, not humanitarian motives.

“Look at Congo countries are exploiting them and nobody intervenes,” she said. “Africa keeps getting neo-colonized, and nobody is coming to save us.”

She stressed that what African nations truly need is control over their own resources and an end to external manipulation.

Akashat-Zibiri also lamented Nigeria’s long-standing inability to secure a permanent seat at the UN Security Council, describing it as part of the imbalance in global power structures.

Her remarks add to growing criticism of oversimplified foreign narratives about Nigeria’s crisis, with many insisting the situation demands dialogue not unilateral threats.