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EXCLUSIVE: Tinubu's Newly Appointed INEC Chairman Prof Amupitan Wrote Legal Brief In 2020 Report Confirming Genocidal Killings In Nigeria
November 6, 2025
NEWS
EXCLUSIVE

Facts have emerged on how Nigeria’s newly appointed Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), authored a legal brief in a 2020 report that explicitly described alleged mass killings and violent campaigns in Nigeria as acts of genocide.

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

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

inec chairman

Meanwhile, the complete report was published by The International Committee on Nigeria (ICON), a consortium of Nigerians and global advocates for human rights and religious freedom.

The document, signed under his law firm — “Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) & Co. Legal Practitioners & Corporate Consultants”, bears the firm’s Jos and Abuja addresses, confirming his authorship long before his appointment by President Bola Tinubu.

In the paper, Amupitan declared that “it is a notorious fact that there is perpetration of crimes under international law in Nigeria, particularly crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide.”

inec chairman

He lamented what he described as the government’s failure to prosecute offenders and protect minority citizens, warning that Nigeria risked repeating “the Rwandan and Sudanese mistakes” where the world stood by as ethnic massacres unfolded.

“While the country is trying to manage the concerns engendered by the clamour for self-determination,” he wrote, “two violent extremist groups have emerged to exacerbate an already deteriorating situation… Boko Haram and the Fulani herdsmen, responsible for an orgy of bloodbath and massive displacements in many States across Nigeria.”

He noted that although Boko Haram had been formally designated a terrorist organisation in 2013, the Fulani herdsmen — whom he directly accused of orchestrating widespread massacres — had not been officially recognized as terrorists, but rather “labelled a terrorist group.”

inec chairman

Amupitan’s legal analysis went beyond mere condemnation.

He accused the Nigerian government of constitutional failure, asserting that the neglect of the state to prosecute alleged perpetrators had made international intervention “a moral and legal necessity.”

“The victims of the crises are mainly the Christian population and the minority ethnic groups in Nigeria,” the brief stated, “and hence the need for remedial actions under the international law.”

He stressed that the “basis of intervention” was the government’s “neglect of its constitutional responsibility to provide welfare and security for the citizenry being the primary purpose of government.”

Tracing the historical roots of Nigeria’s ethno-religious conflicts, Amupitan wrote that the “drive for Islamisation of Nigeria through the jihad of 1804” had now reappeared through modern extremist movements. He described the Fulani-led jihad of Uthman Dan Fodio as a “full-blown Islamization agenda”, arguing that the same ideological undercurrent still drives much of the current violence in northern Nigeria.

“Following the 19th century jihad of Uthman Dan Fodio,” he explained, “the Hausa territories were conquered and the Sokoto Caliphate established… The success of the jihad was one of the religious triumphalism that aimed at expanding the caliphate to other parts of Nigeria in the irrevocable bid to dip the Quran into the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos.”

Amupitan linked that legacy to Nigeria’s modern-day insecurity, asserting that “the caliphate thereafter became a dominant force in the north,” and that subsequent governments had continued to protect its influence through political manipulation and systemic favoritism.

The legal brief also accused Nigerian authorities of deliberately avoiding the term “genocide” to escape international accountability:

“States are skeptical of naming ‘genocide’ the way it is to avoid committing resources to stop it and to punish perpetrators,” he wrote. “Such States easily find cover under the principle of complementarity… Concealing genocide becomes a strategy to guard sovereignty and protect ego, at the expense of innocent lives.”

He added that “there is nothing as devastating as losing a group whose identity enjoys some specificity, uniqueness, and permanency that can neither be replaced nor easily replaceable.”

Prof. Amupitan concluded his paper by making a direct appeal to the United Nations and global powers to intervene in Nigeria’s crisis:

“The alleged involvement of the State and non-State actors in the commission of crimes under international law in Nigeria has complicated an already complex situation,” he wrote. “Consequently, the situation beckons the urgent need for a neutral and impartial third-party intervention, especially the UN and its key organs, the military and economic superpowers.”

He emphasised that international law supersedes absolute state sovereignty in cases of genocide and crimes against humanity, writing:

“In a globalised world, State sovereignty diminishes to accommodate the common interests of the global community concretised by a mixture of consent, consensus and compelling norms.”

SaharaReporters

Emusan:
Almost everyone in Tinubu camp admitted the genocide against Christians in Nigeria, yet I don't know why Image123 is arguing no genocide against Christians

OLAADEGBU:
I believe he refuses to admit Christian genocide for reasons best known to him.

Emusan:
No any reason than he now eats from the table of the man he believes is a THIEF and has nothing to offer

Emusan:
Almost everyone in Tinubu camp admitted the genocide against Christians in Nigeria, yet I don't know why Image123 is arguing no genocide against Christians

Image123:
Number 1, i am not in the Tinubu camp, whatever that means. It's more a case of an enemy of my enemy is my friend, plus biblical command to be subject to leadership and a dose of truth.

i will take a Tinubu 11 times out of 10 over any of his other visionless opposition options.

At the end of the day, the decisions of the leadership affects us all. i know what nonchalance until Jonathan cost me and us all, concerning the leadership of Nigeria.

i have said countless times that there's gross insecurity in Nigeria. All over the North.

It's not just one tribe or religion that suffers it.

This is the crux of the matter and important to the solution.

Narrowing it down to a religious narrative doesn't solve Nigeria's problems.

Killings and insecurity of Nigerians must stop.

And not at the cost of some political gimmick.

Since you refused to see this, no problem. We stick to our different opinions. i don't force you to accept and understand your pain to some extent/way.

It's your camp that insists everyone not supporting your theory has a problem.

All pastors must support you and your viewpoint otherwise they are compromised or evil or something. It's well.

Alleged Christian Genocide: We Don't Want American Invasion – PFN President Wale Oke
November 13, 2025
NEWS

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has stated that the Christian association does not want an American invasion of Nigeria, on account of the security challenges in the country.

The PFN urged United States President, Donald Donald, to negotiate and hold President Bola Tinubu accountable to stop the targeted killing and kidnapping of Christians in the country especially in the northern Nigeria.

PFN president, Wale Oke, who stated this during an interview on Channels Television, said rather than threatening the West African nation with invasion, President Trump should work with Nigeriam president to end the vicious killings.

Oke emphasised that the life of every Nigerian is precious and that attacks on churches should stop.

Oke suggested that Nigeria could ask the US for help with counter-terrorism training, stating, "If the President wants to ask for training in counter-terrorism, or wherever they know that America has expertise, let them ask for it."

The PFN is calling for an end to killings in several parts of the country, with Oke saying, "We don't want revenge, but we want an end to killings"

“For us, we do not want an American invasion of Nigeria. We want Donald Trump to work with our President and to hold our President accountable to stop the targeted killing and kidnapping of our members. That is what we want.”

The cleric maintained, “We want every Nigerian, whether Muslims or Christians, to be able to live freely, work freely, and practice their religion freely anywhere in Nigeria.”

The Nigerian government has denied claims of Christian genocide, describing it as false and divisive.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, had stated that portraying Nigeria's security challenges as a targeted campaign against a single religious group is inaccurate and harmful.

SaharaReporters had reported President Trump had declared Nigeria a "country of particular concern" due to alleged mass slaughter of Christians, directing the Department of War to prepare for possible action.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs attributes the violence to security challenges, not religious conflict.

SaharaReporters

Tonight: @Heritage President @KevinRobertsTX re: Nigeria Christians. Is @POTUS' threat enough to protect them? @WhatTheHekmat betrayed by al-Sharaa's Oval Office visit; @AlexMcFarland re: political Islam rising; 50 years after the Edmund Fitz. A look back. @CBNNews Channel 8ET. pic.twitter.com/HoNFGTpJN6

— The Global Lane (@lane_global) November 13, 2025

Emusan:
As long as it makes you happy. It's your cup of tea.

You keep making this about Tinubu and I've told you, even if Tinubu rules Nigeria forever. That's none of my business.

Glad you know.

Nobody is denying there's no insecurity in Nigeria.

Also, nobody says only one tribe or religion suffered it.

But what you're still denying is that there's no Christian genocide in Nigeria.

No! The crux of the matter and important to the solution is that, those who want to suppress the growth of the Christians in Nigeria and Nigeria as a country should be recognized as Islamic Nation should bury that idea, if truly freedom of worship is enshrined in our constitution.

Yet people like you are living in denial.

Who narrows it down to religious narrative?

The questions you still failed to answer are:
1. Why are the majority of this attack happened in Christians DOMINATED AREAS?
2. How many numbers of Christians place of worship have been burnt and destroyed in ratio to others?

“There is no genocide happening in Nigeria. The first documented victims of Boko Haram are the Muslims” -

Great response from Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the African Union Commission Chairperson on allegations of Christian genocide in Nigeria. pic.twitter.com/jGPL7dcQhc

— Daddy D.O🇳🇬 (@DOlusegun) November 14, 2025

We all agreed but the question left out is who is doing the killing and for what purpose?

So who is playing politics with the killings happening in Nigeria right nowm

I should be the one to tell you that you refused to see the genocide against Christians.

The purpose of this thread is to show that the new INEC chairman appointed by your leader once acknowledged the genocide against Christians. Likewise many people in this government including Tinubu.

So why are you accusing ONLY me of refusing to SEE YOUR ONLY TRUTH?

You can provide your evidence of me having any camp.

This particular political debate caught my attention because I know the victims, escape/delivered from attacked & living in the affected area.

So, you reading just news can't be saying you're telling me the truth.

Any pastor who is for the truth knows what is going on in Nigeria, so any pastor who claimed there's no Christian genocide in Nigeria is lying.

I think I read Pastor Adeboye statement somewhere about "You can't be a tested Christian until you have lived in the North"

Why this statement?

Even you claimed you're being persecuted as Christian in Nigeria but yet tell us the nature of the persecution you're experiencing.

You even tried to shift the blame on the innocent Christians by saying they're not being killed for their faith but they're just defending their business and land.

You later switch to land grabbing as defense for the monster killers yet you couldn't provide any evidence of a Muslim land these killers have grabbed and rename.

Image123:
Wasn't going to reply this, but i have free time to help you stop lying yet again. i hope you allow it to remain my cup of tea and stop disturbing space and time over my support.

Let's pray that he rules Nigeria forever, since it is none of your business na. Another lie.

You don't seem to know.

You are when you keep making it about your self and your view alone.

Are you a nobody, because you keep asking me for proof of this.

Because there is none. Professing muslims and christians are insecure and dying in Nigeria, a sad and unfortunate reality.

No one can suppress the growth of Christians in Nigeria except christians themselves, except you don't believe and understand the words of Jesus. Not even Nero and his horde or the gates of hell could stop the 'explosion' of the early church. Why? The church stood on Christ's mandate. Until the church stopped itself. BTW, i thought you just said that you don't care about the politics, but now you call it the crux, lol.

i took time out to explain Nigeria's complex security situation to you, but you scorned it as copied and insist on narrowing it to a religious narrative.

The North is by NO MEANS christian dominated. Tell this story in the south. North West, North East, and North Central have faced serious security challenges and deaths, so it is by no means statistically christian dominated.

It is not christians to dominate the many local governments that boko haram and co have turned into eye-sore.

You are consistently narrowing Nigeria's problems down to your village where you know. Reliable and various data proves otherwise.

“There is no genocide happening in Nigeria. The first documented victims of Boko Haram are the Muslims” -

Great response from Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the African Union Commission Chairperson on allegations of Christian genocide in Nigeria. pic.twitter.com/jGPL7dcQhc

— Daddy D.O🇳🇬 (@DOlusegun) November 14, 2025

mentioned the attacked across major affected areas like Adamawa, Borno, Taraba, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Benue é.t.c yet you can still lie that I limited it to just one village.

Mind you on all these states, the attack only happened CHRISTIANS DOMINATED AREAS.

Very pathetic of you.

[quote]Up there is the AU commission chairperson saying what i have said. Do you believe him? No, it doesn't fit your view. You'd rather believe some ludicrous photocopy you posted for me from 2010 or something.

Lolz, are you asking? i thought you said it's my brothers or something. When i answered this, you complained that it was copied.

You and your types that are narrowing it down to a religious viewpoint.

Lolz at my only truth, whatever that even means. Stick to facts, not he said and she said. i can give you ten different government people that say there's no such thing/ Do you believe them, since they are government officials or what kind of fallacy is this?

Did you think of evidence when you labelled me? Don't you belong to the camp of people who hate the president, see nothing good in him and parrot about a genocide?

How many victims do you know? What is the % to the millions of Nigerians affected that we must leave the millions and hundreds of thousands to support your own angle only?

Any pastor who is well informed, has the spirit of discernment and is intelligent enough would be very wary to parrot genocide. Nigeria is much bigger, and its problems more complex than your personal experience, dear. Read wide, study farther and develop a broad mindset of what is happening around. You are clearly living within an echo chamber.

Image123:
Wasn't going to reply this, but i have free time to help you stop lying yet again. i hope you allow it to remain my cup of tea and stop disturbing space and time over my support.

Let's pray that he rules Nigeria forever, since it is none of your business na. Another lie.

You don't seem to know.

You are when you keep making it about your self and your view alone.

Are you a nobody, because you keep asking me for proof of this.

Because there is none. Professing muslims and christians are insecure and dying in Nigeria, a sad and unfortunate reality.

No one can suppress the growth of Christians in Nigeria except christians themselves, except you don't believe and understand the words of Jesus. Not even Nero and his horde or the gates of hell could stop the 'explosion' of the early church. Why? The church stood on Christ's mandate. Until the church stopped itself. BTW, i thought you just said that you don't care about the politics, but now you call it the crux, lol.

i took time out to explain Nigeria's complex security situation to you, but you scorned it as copied and insist on narrowing it to a religious narrative.
The North is by NO MEANS christian dominated. Tell this story in the south. North West, North East, and North Central have faced serious security challenges and deaths, so it is by no means statistically christian dominated. It is not christians to dominate the many local governments that boko haram and co have turned into eye-sore. You are consistently narrowing Nigeria's problems down to your village where you know. Reliable and various data proves otherwise.

“There is no genocide happening in Nigeria. The first documented victims of Boko Haram are the Muslims” -

Great response from Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the African Union Commission Chairperson on allegations of Christian genocide in Nigeria. pic.twitter.com/jGPL7dcQhc

— Daddy D.O🇳🇬 (@DOlusegun) November 14, 2025

Up there is the AU commission chairperson saying what i have said. Do you believe him? No, it doesn't fit your view. You'd rather believe some ludicrous photocopy you posted for me from 2010 or something.

Lolz, are you asking? i thought you said it's my brothers or something. When i answered this, you complained that it was copied.

You and your types that are narrowing it down to a religious viewpoint.

Lolz at my only truth, whatever that even means. Stick to facts, not he said and she said. i can give you ten different government people that say there's no such thing/ Do you believe them, since they are government officials or what kind of fallacy is this?

Did you think of evidence when you labelled me? Don't you belong to the camp of people who hate the president, see nothing good in him and parrot about a genocide?

How many victims do you know? What is the % to the millions of Nigerians affected that we must leave the millions and hundreds of thousands to support your own angle only?

Any pastor who is well informed, has the spirit of discernment and is intelligent enough would be very wary to parrot genocide. Nigeria is much bigger, and its problems more complex than your personal experience, dear. Read wide, study farther and develop a broad mindset of what is happening around. You are clearly living within an echo chamber.

Nigeria Is A Disgrace; It's Genocide And I'm Really Angry – President Trump Insists
November 22, 2025
NEWS

The United States President, Donald Trump, has again voiced strong criticism of the Nigerian government over what he described as the “genocide” of Christians in the country.

Speaking Friday on a conservative radio programme — remarks later highlighted by Fox News, which captured the exchange — Trump claimed that thousands of Christians were being killed in Nigeria and accused the government of failing to curb extremist violence.

The US President reiterated his administration’s earlier designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious persecution, saying Washington may take further action if the situation does not improve.

“Nigeria is a disgrace. The whole thing is a disgrace,” Trump said during the interview. “They’re killing people by the thousands. It’s a genocide, and I’m really angry about it.”

He warned that the US could cut off aid to Nigeria, citing American financial support to the country.

“We give a lot of subsidies to Nigeria. We’re going to end up stopping,” he added.

Trump also repeated his threat of possible military intervention against Islamist militant groups if the Nigerian government “does not do more” to protect Christian communities.

SaharaReporters had reported on Friday that the United States War Department said it was working closely with the Nigerian government to end what it describes as "jihadists terrorists” attacks on Christians in Nigeria.

This was disclosed by the Secretary of the War Department, who stated on X: "Yesterday, I met with Nigeria’s National Security Advisor and his team to discuss the horrific violence against Christians in their country."

"Under @POTUS leadership, DOW is working aggressively with Nigeria to end the persecution of Christians by jihadist terrorists," he posted on Friday.

The statement followed a meeting on Wednesday between Congressman Riley M. Moore and a delegation of senior Nigerian government officials led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu during their visit to Washington, D.C.

Members of the delegation included Ribadu; Her Excellency Bianca Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun; Attorney General of the Federation Chief Lateef Olasunkami Fagbemi, SAN; Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede; Chief of Defence Intelligence Lt. Gen. EAP Undiendeye; Special Adviser to ONSA Idayat Hassan; Director of Foreign Relations, ONSA, Ambassador Ibrahim Babani; Acting CDA, Embassy of Nigeria, Ambassador Nuru Biu; and Paul Alabi of the Embassy’s Political and Economic Section.

According to the statement, the meeting “allowed for a frank, honest, and productive discussion about the ongoing persecution of Christians and ongoing terrorist threats in Nigeria and opportunities for strengthened cooperation and coordination between the United States and Nigeria to end the bloodshed.”

It added that the Nigerian delegation “shared their government’s challenges and concerns regarding counterterrorism, security assistance, protection of vulnerable communities, and ongoing issues involving violence across Nigeria.”

The release noted that Congressman Moore “clearly stated that the United States stands ready to coordinate and cooperate with Nigeria,” adding that “as President Trump made abundantly clear, the United States will not tolerate continued violence against Christians or other forms of religious persecution.”

It further stressed that “President Trump does not make idle threats.”

It added that Moore “will continue monitoring new developments and pushing the Nigerian government to accept the open hand of cooperation to stop the ongoing persecution and violence against Christians and combat the threat terrorist groups pose to the Nigerian population.”

Moore also issued a detailed statement after the meeting.

“Today, I had a frank, honest, and productive discussion with senior members of the Nigerian government regarding the horrific violence and persecution Christians face and the ongoing threat terrorism poses across Nigeria,” he said.

SaharaReporters

BREAKING: 38 Abducted Worshippers Of Kwara Church Regain Freedom
November 23, 2025
NEWS

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has announced the release of 38 persons who were recently abducted in an attack on the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area.

The freed abductees regained their freedom on Sunday, November 23, following several days of coordinated efforts by security forces and government representatives.

Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, disclosed the information in a statement issued on Sunday.

According to the statement, Governor AbdulRazaq attributed the successful rescue to the “hands-on approach” of President Bola Tinubu, who directed measures to secure the release.

“The President had called off his scheduled trip for the G20 Meeting in South Africa to attend to the breaches in Kwara and Kebbi States,” the statement said.

“He had also directed heightened security deployments to Kwara, in what underlined his firm commitment to the safety and wellbeing of our people and Nigerians as a whole.”

“The abductees were freed today, November 23,” it said.

The Governor expressed his gratitude to the President, saying the release “is wholly due to his direct initiative.”

He also extended appreciation to the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Intelligence Agency, and the Nigeria Police, which deployed four new tactical teams to the state under the President’s directive.

In addition, Governor AbdulRazaq thanked religious institutions, thought leaders, and residents of Kwara State for their support and solidarity during the ordeal.

The abductees’ return marks a significant relief for the community following the traumatic incident that had drawn national attention.

Earlier on Sunday, SaharaReporters reported that service had resumed at Kwara church following the recent terrorist attack.

On November 18, ten armed men stormed the church during an evening service, shooting at worshippers. Thirty-eight members were abducted, and several were killed, including the pastor.

In a viral video seen by SaharaReporters from the service held on Sunday, November 23, 2025, the preacher declared that God’s judgment would descend on the terrorists who attacked the congregation and took lives.

He urged members not to fear death as Christians, insisting that God’s promise of eternal life remains assured for all who die in the name of Jesus.

He said, “As a Christian, you must not fear death. Jesus has promised you eternal life. He has promised eternal life to us.

“Don’t let us fear death. Anywhere death comes to you, make sure you do not curse Jesus. If you don’t curse Jesus, the promise is for you that Jesus will take you to a place of peace. This world will end but the life Jesus has promised us has no end. It is forever. He said we should not allow our hearts to be troubled.

“I want you to take comfort in knowing that they (our fellow worshippers) died at the feet of Jesus. They died a righteous death. Anyone who is killed for the gospel of Jesus Christ dies as a witness for Christ.

“And it is in the bible that God will avenge the deaths of the witnesses for Christ. Their blood will cry for justice. Those evil people (terrorists), watch out, God’s judgment will come upon them. The bible tells us that death is the path to life.”

The video also shows a police van and officers stationed outside the church to prevent any further attacks.

Advocacy groups and some U.S. politicians have argued that Christians face systematic persecution, while Nigerian officials and other analysts insist the violence is broader, affecting both Christians and Muslims.

President Donald Trump recently reignited this controversy by redesignating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for religious freedom violations, a move praised by some religious groups but rejected by Nigerian authorities.

SaharaReporters

Nigerian Presidency Says US Has Promised Intelligence Support, Defence Equipment After Washington Meeting
November 24, 2025
NEWS

The President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government on Monday said the United States government has expressed readiness to deepen security cooperation with Nigeria.

The presidency noted that this included the provision of enhanced intelligence support, defence equipment, and other military articles to bolster ongoing operations against terrorists and violent extremist groups.

The commitment followed a series of high-level engagements in Washington, D.C., last week between a Nigerian delegation and senior US officials, aimed at strengthening bilateral security ties and opening new areas of collaboration.

According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Nigerian delegation, led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, held meetings with officials from the US Congress, the White House Faith Office, the State Department, the National Security Council, and the Department of War.

Members of the delegation included Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiandeye; the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and two representatives from the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Onanuga said the meetings provided an opportunity for Nigeria to address what it described as “misconceptions” surrounding the country’s security challenges.

The delegation refuted allegations of genocide, stressing that violent attacks affect families and communities across religious and ethnic divides.

He noted that the Nigerian representatives “rejected the wrongful framing of the situation,” warning that such portrayals “would only divide Nigerians and distort the realities on the ground.”

According to the statement, the discussions “forged a constructive, solution-driven partnership with the United States, reinforced mutual trust, and advanced a coordinated approach to protecting vulnerable communities, especially in the Middle Belt.”

Onanuga added that the US government “expressed its willingness to extend complementary support, including humanitarian assistance to affected populations in the Middle Belt and technical support to strengthen early-warning mechanisms.”

Both countries, he said, agreed to immediately begin implementing a non-binding cooperation framework and to establish a Joint Working Group to ensure a unified and coordinated approach to the agreed areas of cooperation.

Nigeria also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening civilian protection measures.
“The Federal Government restates its awareness of heightened sensitivities regarding religious freedom and security, and urges citizens to remain assured that firm, urgent, and coordinated steps are being taken to secure the nation,” Onanuga said.

The announcement comes weeks after former US President Donald Trump threatened to deploy American forces to Nigeria “guns-a-blazing” if the government failed to stop what he termed the killing of Christians by terrorists.

Trump had also listed Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” describing the situation as a “mass slaughter.”

“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump had said on Truth Social.

“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet,” he added.

President Tinubu has since rejected claims of genocide against Christians in Nigeria, insisting that Nigeria remains committed to religious freedom and tolerance.

SaharaReporters

Senate Declares Kidnapping, Banditry As Terrorism, Approves Death Penalty For Offenders
November 26, 2025
NEWS

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday adopted sweeping security resolutions, officially designating kidnapping and banditry as acts of terrorism and approving the maximum death penalty for all kidnapping-related offences.

The resolutions followed an intense debate during plenary, presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, after a motion of urgent national importance raised by Senator Ashiru Oyelola Yisa (Kwara South) and further amended by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.

In one of its strongest security positions in recent years, the Senate ruled that henceforth, "all laws relating to kidnapping should be classified as terrorism and should have a maximum death penalty, and no judge should overturn or reduce the sentence without any option of fine."

To implement the decision, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele was directed to introduce a formal amendment bill "in the shortest possible time."

Beyond the legal reclassification, lawmakers approved the creation of a new Joint Task Force (JTF) to strengthen security across the Kwara–Kogi corridor, with Forward Operating Bases to be established in Eruku, Babanla, Oke-Ero, Isanlu and Wasagu in Kebbi State.

The Senate further urged the Federal Government to reinforce local vigilante groups and review Nigeria’s firearm laws to reflect practices in "over 175 countries where responsible citizens are permitted to own guns."

A major highlight of the resolutions was the directive for a full investigation into the withdrawal of troops from a school in Kebbi State hours before a bandit attack.

All Senate security committees were mandated to investigate the withdrawal of military personnel from the Kebbi school prior to the attack, probe the circular relating to the killing of Brigadier-General M. Uba in Maiduguri and report back to the chamber within two weeks.

The resolutions underscore the Senate’s escalating alarm over the surge in kidnappings, school raids and bandit attacks across the country.

SaharaReporters previously reported that panic and tears swept through Eruku town in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State when terrorists stormed a branch of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), killing three worshippers and abducting several others, including the pastor.

Sources had told SaharaReporters that the attackers invaded the church during a meeting and immediately opened fire, sending worshippers running for cover.

Earlier this month, there were also mass abductions in Kebbi and Niger states.

SaharaReporters

EXCLUSIVE: Intelligence Report Exposes Kidnapping, Bandit Syndicates Across Northern Nigeria
December 8, 2025
NEWS
EXCLUSIVE

A comprehensive investigation into the activities of kidnappers and bandits across northern Nigeria reveals a complex web of criminal operations involving suspected kingpins, collaborators, and potential connections with politically exposed persons.

The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) findings, based on a September 2020 intelligence report, span the North-West and North-East regions and provide detailed insights into the identities, movements, and alleged activities of hundreds of suspects.

North-West Axis: Katsina, Zamfara, and Kaduna Under Siege

The report highlights the North-West as a hotspot for kidnapping and banditry, with Katsina, Zamfara, and Kaduna states heavily affected.

Several high-profile suspects were identified in the report.

According to the report, Samaila Ibrahim (aka Kachalla, Dan Antuna), 24, operating out of Kaduna and Katsina, was reportedly involved in the abduction of Abdullahi Carpenter along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway.

He is suspected of sourcing weapons or drugs through an associate, “Iliya Kaya.”

Aliyu Abubakar Umar, aka Lalbi 1 and Laibi 2, 25, is linked to multiple kidnappers and is suspected to have connections with law enforcement collaborators and local political figures.

Aish Buhari, 35, allegedly communicates internationally with France and Ghana and has strong ties to the Lalbi network.

Nasiru Mani, aka Sada Lawal, 26, a suspected kidnapper in Katsina, reportedly coordinates with Ibrahim Umaru (Ardo Alti) and receives communications from the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) at odd hours, suggesting possible logistical support for banditry operations.

Umar Sani (Uzairu), 83, maintains communications with suspected kidnappers at flashpoints across the North-West.

The report also identifies several suspected informants and logistics operators, including Ashiru Salisu, Shaaibu Sulaiman, and Sani Farouk, who allegedly provide critical support for abductions, ransom collection, and coordination across Katsina and Zamfara.

SaharaReporters

Message to those Arewa youth that protested against the USA .

This is coming from a sensible Arewa guy !

Watch and ask yourself if you are okay 🙏 pic.twitter.com/icefiLiBon

— AFRICAMUSTBEFREE!!!!!!! (@engrICO2015) March 2, 2026

Trending Video: A Young bandit dares the army.

Translation: “We are currently burning Mansur (village in Bauchi), and we are hiding in this uncompleted building. Nigerian Army we dare you to come for us. We dare you.”

pic.twitter.com/IkQdRcoJA9

— Trending Explained (@TrendingEx) March 2, 2026

Christians in the North are going through Hell…

This is evil 💔 pic.twitter.com/vQ6sbM378c

— DON “Tobechukwu” Ade 👑 (@Row_Haastrup) March 5, 2026

“What’s happening in Nigeria is Jihad. The difference between what’s happening in Nigeria & what happened 1,400 years ago when the Musl!m Arab invaders came to Persia is that back then people didn’t have Camera but today they do. Tinubu’s Govt is working closely behind the scene… pic.twitter.com/AyrJSQgcPw

— Dr. Kenon (@drkenon2) March 11, 2026