₦airaland Forum

US Lawmaker Hails Release Of Christian Farmer, Sunday Jackson After Years On Death Row
December 24, 2025
NEWS

The United States Rep. Riley M. Moore has welcomed the release of Sunday Jackson, a Nigerian Christian farmer who spent more than a decade on death row after killing an attacker he said assaulted his home, calling the pardon a “major step forward” for religious freedom and U.S.–Nigeria relations.

Jackson was freed following a pardon issued by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, ending a case that had drawn growing attention from U.S. lawmakers and religious freedom advocates.

Jackson had been sentenced to death after killing a Fulani Islamic radical during what his supporters describe as an act of self-defence.

“Sunday Jackson is free!” Moore said in a statement released on Wednesday morning which he personally shared on his X handle. “After more than a decade in prison serving a death sentence for defending himself, Sunday Jackson has been pardoned.”

Moore, a Republican, has spent months pressing Nigerian officials on the case, raising it during congressional hearings, media interviews, and private diplomatic meetings in Washington and abroad. He also discussed Jackson’s imprisonment during a recent congressional delegation visit to Nigeria.

“Sunday is a Christian farmer who, like countless other Christians in Nigeria, was brutally attacked by an Islamic radical,” Moore said. “Sunday fought back in self-defense, killing his attacker. I have been advocating for Sunday’s release both in public and in private meetings, including during my recent Congressional Delegation visit to Nigeria.”

The congressman framed Jackson’s release as a sign of improving cooperation between the Nigerian government and the United States, particularly on issues related to religious persecution and security.

“Sunday Jackson’s release is a positive development in the relationship between the Nigerian government and the United States,” Moore said. “It demonstrates a willingness by President Bola Tinubu and his government to work in coordination and cooperation with the United States to address the persecution of Christians.”

Moore also credited Nigerian leadership for engaging with U.S. concerns, while emphasizing that broader challenges remain.

“There is much more to do, but I continue to see positive steps that my concerns—and the concerns of President Trump—are being taken seriously by the Nigerian government,” he said. “I want to thank President Tinubu for his administration’s willingness to engage in continued constructive discussions with the U.S. Government on establishing a strategic security framework between our two countries.”

At the same time, Moore urged Nigerian authorities to ensure Jackson’s protection now that he has been released.

“The Nigerian government at the federal and state level must ensure Sunday’s safety during and following his release,” he said.

Closing his statement on a religious note, Moore highlighted the timing of the pardon.

“Our Lord came to set the captives free, and now Sunday will be able to celebrate Christmas with his family,” he said. “Thanks be to God.”

Jackson’s case has become emblematic for advocates who argue that Christians in parts of Nigeria face disproportionate violence and legal consequences amid ongoing clashes between farmers and armed groups.

While his release has been celebrated by supporters, human rights groups say it also underscores the need for broader reforms to Nigeria’s justice and security systems.

SaharaReporters

Jackson was freed following a pardon issued by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, ending a case that had drawn growing attention from U.S. lawmakers and religious freedom advocates.

Who tell you say God no dey answer prayers . Jesus is Lord

While their brothers are having 20years bunch of useless people

Yeah, it's pretty obvious he was released because of the pressure mounted by The US.


Islamic terrorists should know that their time of oppresing Christians in Nigeria is over.

As for the corrupt Judge that probably collected money from Miyethi Allah to sentence an innocent man to death, God will still judge you.

Nigeria is a terrorist state!!



Free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu

It’s apparent that the release of this farmer was made possible by the US.
Thank God for sparing his life.

There is no justice in this country.

OLAADEGBU:
Jackson was freed following a pardon issued by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, ending a case that had drawn growing attention from U.S. lawmakers and religious freedom advocates.

this doesnot mean other Nigerians trust the fulani/ hausa

This goes to show that the Nigerian govt was pressured into releasing this man. Its great that he was released but it still begs the question " when has defending oneself from a armed terrorist aka Fulani herdmen or man become a crime?

Who beg them now USA should Face Russia i want to check something

It was from the beginning a travesty of justice.

Okay I understand now, it's because of America lawmakers that make this people released the guy, if not they will not. Thanks to America for putting pressure on this our politicians.

This is why we supported Trump

Afrikans cant use their brains unless the westerners are involved.

Bunch of low lifers.

Fulani herdsmen that murder people dont get death sentences.

It again shows that the people who bring the least to Nigeria, cause the most problems

The man should thank the US!.

Toosure70:
Who tell you say God no dey answer prayers . Jesus is Lord

america did it, abi you no no

He deserves asylum so he can be far away from vengeance

Congratulations to him and God bless the Adamawa state governor, Fintiri and Mr Moore for this special Xmas gift

Thank you America for this intervention

obicoolnino:
This goes to show that the Nigerian govt was pressured into releasing this man. Its great that he was released but it still begs the question " when has defending oneself from a armed terrorist aka Fulani herdmen or man become a crime?

if them explain Nigeria to you and you understand it then it most likely means you’re part of the problem

He stuffs2002 US is riding on emotions right?
Make Donald Trump catch you first. Travel ban lo ma je

Thank you very much Mr Moore for your interest in this case. But for your intervention, Sunday Jackson would have been killed just for defending himself.
The governments wouldn't have pardoned him because they wouldn't want to be in the bad book of the Islamic jihadists

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will also be let out someday.

Yes a Yoruba man said so.

Moveittothem:
Yeah, it's pretty obvious he was released because of the pressure mounted by The US.


Islamic terrorists should know that their time of oppresing Christians in Nigeria is over.

As for the corrupt Judge that probably collected money from Miyethi Allah to sentence an innocent man to death, God will still judge you.

What I found interesting about Sunday Jackson is that one:

The Nigeria state knew that the attacker was a terrorist and a killer and they decided to punish Jackson for defending himself
Two.... The judges that deliberate on Jackson case were all muslim from the lower court to the Supreme Court. They held the believe that after Jackson overpowered the terrorist by collecting attacking knife after many stab wounds should have handcuff or tire him down and call on authority to arrest the terrorist.


The court tried Jackson base on jungle justice but not on self defense and that's what the police used against him and since he wrote a statements that he killed the terrorist, the police had to use that statement to nail him.

Thank you Riley MOORE...

But the truth is that we still need MORE

obicoolnino:
This goes to show that the Nigerian govt was pressured into releasing this man. Its great that he was released but it still begs the question " when has defending oneself from a armed terrorist aka Fulani herdmen or man become a crime?

No self defence in Nigerias law

JoeEeL:
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will also be let out someday.

Yes a Yoruba man said so.

Tinibu is a terrorist..let me arrest elrufai 1st
I wan check something...

Gotocourt:
america did it, abi you no no

America did it in the name of JESUS

deluckiest:
Congratulations to him and God bless the Adamawa state governor, Fintiri and Mr Moore for this special Xmas gift

God bless which Adamawa state governor?
If US didn’t intervene, do you think Mr Jackson will smell freedom under Fintiri? If Mr Moore didn’t come to Nigeria on a fact finding mission, do you think his release would’ve been made that possible and if Mr Trump didn’t voice out, do you think Arewa leadership and Adamawa state government would’ve set Mr Jackson free??

Give kudos to US government under president Donald Trump.

Tinubu came in saw all the evil happening but he kept quiet as he didn’t want to upset Arewa, Sharia and miyetti allah….Mr Sunday Jackson should thank God and US government and also the activists who kept the pressure otherwise he would’ve been killed ages ago.

Left for Tinubu, he would’ve look the other way while the north continue to persecute christians up there.

Nigeria had to wait for pressure from Trump to do the right thing.

The judicial system in this country has become embarrassing to common sense