Between Closure and Disclosure: The Bitter Truth About Christian Genocide in Nigeria

by

Moses Oludele Idowu

Few days ago the Canadian Parliament in a resolution described Nigeria “as one of the worst places on Earth for a Christian to live.” It came as a rude shock to Nigerian government because their officials rarely follow international commentaries and journals. There was nothing new in that resolution actually.

For years now the _World Watch List_ ( a reputable annual publication of Open Doors International organization that monitors persecution of Christians worldwide) has consistently maintained that Nigeria, especially Northern Nigeria, is one of the worst places now on earth to be a Christian. I reviewed one of these reports during the Buhari regime. These reports are filed with parliaments across the world.

Recently too, popular American comedian Bill Maher also confirmed the reality of genocide in Nigeria. “I am not a Christian but they are systematically killing Christians in Nigeria. They’ve killed over a hundred thousand since 2009. They’ve burnt 18,000 churches. These are the Islamists, Boko Haram. This is so much more of a genocide attempt than what is going on in Gaza. They are literally attempting to wipe out the Christian population of an entire country.”

Adding to the flame, congressman Riley More of West Virginia 2nd District has written to Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State urging him to designate Nigeria as a country of particular concern (CPC) halting all arms sales and technical support. His counterpart in the Senate, Texas senator Ted Cruz has accused the Nigerian government of “ignoring and even facilitating the mass murder of Christians by Islamist jihadists.”

In the light of what has been happening in Benue and Plateau states in particular can these allegations be faulted? Cruz also alleged that NIgerian Christians are being targeted and executed for their faith by Islamist terrorist groups “being forced to submit to Sharia Law and blasphemy laws across Nigeria. It is long past time to impose real costs on the Nigeria officials who facilitate these activities….”

Again I ask, in the light of experiences of Deborah Samuel, Leah Sharibu, etc., the closing of all public schools for Ramadan; has Cruz lied against Nigeria? Ted Cruz has therefore on the basis of these introduced a bill to the Senate, Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act which would target the public officials responsible for these policies with powerful sanctions and other tools.

Expectedly, these actions and steps have jolted Nigerian Government out of its slumber. There is no doubt that the Federal Government was rattled by the report of accusing the nation of genocide against Christians. Spirited attempts and means have been deployed to deny the allegations and dismiss the insinuations. Still they won’t go away rather like mortar to brick, they stick.

Aides, lackeys, honchos of the party and even “useful idiots” from the Christian Association of Nigeria have been engaged to whitewash the stain off government with hyssop; still to no avail.

I do not blame the government. Genocide is a serious thing to be accused of before the international community.

First the Minister of Information tried his best to denounce the allegations and dismiss the whole label as the work of enemies and overzealous haters of the administration and its “good works.” The usual platitudes of tolerance for all religions, and religious freedoms while denying the terrible underbelly of continuous pain and tears among selected groups who have waited for government interventions for years without success and to no avail.

It is my purpose in this investigation to present the facts as they are and leave the readers to judge for themselves. Is there indeed genocide against Christians in Nigeria or is it merely fictional? And are the Americans being overzealous and weeping more than the bereaved as Femi Fani-Kayode seemed to suggest in his response?

It is so amazing that we are so reactive as a people rather than been proactive. And this debility has infected even our government. Americans are being blamed, CNN is being blamed as if they just woke up from slumber or because we supported Gaza during the last United Nations Assembly. – as Fani-Kayode so shamelessly suggested. I do not agree with these propositions.

Long before America dabbled into our affairs Nigerians themselves have called attention to ongoing genocide in Benue and Plateau states.

In July 2023 Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of Makurdi in a testimony to the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs stated:

“The inaction and silence about our plight by both the ( Nigerian) government and powerful stakeholders all over the world prompts me to often conclude that there is a conspiracy of silence and a strong desire to just watch the Islamists get away with genocide in Benue State and others parts of Nigeria.” ( _Catholic Culture_ , July 24, 2023)

Two years later the same bishop in an interview with _ACI AFRICA_ noted that since 2018 he has shutdown some 17 parishes due to killings and systematic campaigns of territorial conquest. “No nation watches her citizens slaughtered like animals and says there is nothing to be done. It’s genocide.”
This is not an American talking and not a Canadian but a Nigerian bishop in Makurdi who is an eyewitness and a victim. Can we, in all honesty fault what he has said? In the light of what we know about Benue State has this bishop told a lie?
In March 12, 2025 the same bishop again appealed to the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, African Subcommittee to redesignate Nigeria as a country of particular concern (CPC) owing to increased Islamist attacks against Christians. He details the persecution of Christians especially in Northern and Central regions of Nigeria where there is a manifest agenda “to reduce and eventually eliminate the Christian identity” of the country.He then concluded by saying, “Concretely I request and I plead, I ask you to redesignate Nigeria as a country of particular concern. This has practical and diplomatic meaning…”

The claim of genocide against Nigeria and the double standard often displayed by security agencies have been made by others even within the country. On April 17, 2025 CAN President, Daniel Okoh described the attacks in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas of Plateau State as ” premeditated vicious acts of genocide” against indigenous Christian communities. [ See _BusinessDay_ April 17, 2025 ]

As usual the government response to all these is to be dismissive and mouth the same worn- out cliches and jaded old tales of tolerance, neutrality, freedom of religion and worship. These mask the insincerity of government and a proof that something sinister is underneath because it fails to address the real issues.

*Pattern of Attacks*

A common defense which usually provides a convenient narrative from government and its many apologists and “useful idiots” is the allusion to the pattern of attacks by insurgents. They claim the attacks do not show any pattern and all Nigerians have been attacked by insurgents without any discrimination.

The CAN national spokesman, one Abimbola Ayuba employed this tactic in his defense. “The pattern of killings has truly not been in a particular pattern,” _Punch_ reported him as saying.

That is not true and he knows in his heart and I will soon show the figures putting a lie to his statement.
“If they open fire in a market place the bullets don’t look for a Christian or spare a Muslim or even spare a baby…” rambled CAN spokesman Abimbola Ayuba to _Guardian_ newspaper. How about that? But Yelwata, where Fulani militia operated for hours killing over 200 without resistance from state security agencies, is not a market place; it is a residential community. Agatu, Bokkos, Bassa where Christians die daily are not market places but residential communities and where people live especially people of a particular Faith. Then there is a pattern.

How many of these militia men have been arrested and brought to book?

Why do the security agencies always maintained that the local vigilantes in these Christian areas cannot carry sophisticated guns like their attackers and refused to defend them claiming they have not received orders to engage? Isn’t that suggestive of genocide? When you refused to defend a people from sophisticated terrorists and you disable them from defending themselves what do you call that?

Abimbola added to his folly when he said: “Why run to America when you have a Senate here where you can file your petition?”
And if we may ask him, how many of the petitions filed by the besieged Christian communities in Benue and Plateau States and by their Development Associations and representatives have been successfully addressed by your Senate? Obviously they had stopped teaching Logic when you went to school or you didn’t learn well. It is so sad that CAN is now loaded with government apologists, fifth columnists and agents.

Sometimes I wonder reading press releases from CAN whether it was written by even Muslims or Aso Rock. I wrote years ago that this Association should be dissolved because it seems to have been hijacked by politicians and has therefore outlived its usefulness. Now I am vindicated.

Femi Fani-Kayode has spoken in similar vein. He believes that all Nigerians are facing genocide not just Christians. That makes it even worse for the government, if it is so. For he has thus charged Nigerian Government of gross irresponsibility. This is not a defense, it is an indictment. If all Nigerians are facing genocide why has Nigerian officials not asked for help from other nations and why is Nigeria crying and making case against Palestinian genocide at the United Nations Assembly when her own people are facing worse genocide at home? It is criminal irresponsibility and dereliction of duty. What responsible man goes out trying to put out fire in another man’s house while his own house with his children are on bigger conflagration?

Contrary to the lies and puerile and asinine logic of absence of discernible pattern in the attacks and killings there is indeed a pattern for anyone who can see, whose eyes have not been blinded by cataract as a result of politician’s filthy lucre and government’s cash transfusions. The figures tell the true story and these are figures from several reputable international observers and organisations and their is a common agreement in what they say. And curiously the natives of.these communities agree with what they say. Unfortunately even the press is compromised.
On a peripheral and surface level it appears the attacks are mindless and patternless but when viewed carefully, the nature and consistency of attacks, the response from the authority to these show a different picture.
It is true that there are critical insecurity challenges in most Northern states especially the Northeast and Northwest but often these are results of age-long misgivings and frictions between Hausa farmers and Fulani pastoralists occasioned by several factors. The Fulanis are mostly pastoralists while Hausas are mostly farmers on land. But these cannot be compared with what is happening and has been happening in Benue and Plateau States and, to some degrees, Taraba which are dominantly Christian states. Is this a coincidence?
Two, why are civilian vigilantes in the core North allowed to carry sophisticated arms to defend their communities and themselves but the same privilege is not accorded those in Benue and Plateau where there has been more bloodshed? Can anyone explain this?
Can anyone compare the statistics in other areas of the North with what is happening and has happened in Benue and Plateau states and Southern Kaduna in the past 10 years especially since these jihadists of APC took over the rein of government in Nigeria? The facts speak for themselves unless when we want to lie.

*Let The Figures Speak*

The _World Watch List_ , a publication of Open Doors International that measures and monitors Christian persecution around the world noted that in 2024 alone 3100 Christians were killed. These are killings targeted for the sake of belief and Faith. The report admitted that it is even lower compared to previous years.
The _International Christian Concern_ designate Nigeria a country of particular concern where persecution of Christians take place. Thus putting Nigeria in the same big league with North Korea, Saudi Arabia, etc.
Genocide or persecution encourages migration because people are bound to flee from zones of danger. Thus the pattern of migration can be indicative of the level of extreme persecution and killings in a particular region. Whatever forces people to leave their ancestral homes, houses and towns as it is currently happening in my dear Igbomina Land must be serious.
Now what does the statistics show? According to _International Organization for Migration (_ IOM) an estimate of 3.3 million Nigerians (i.e., three million, three hundred thousand) have been internally displaced. Now the same organization noted that of these sum almost half ( 1.5 million) has been displaced in Benue State alone. It also admitted that in Plateau State another Christian State, dozens of communities have been overrun in Bokkos, Riyom, Bakin Ladi and Mangu Local Government Areas and their farmland seized and lost. So even the remaining now face the threat of hunger and food shortage.

The _Christian International Solidarity_ ( CIS) detailed series of killings by Fulani militia men in Plateau State. The Nigerian manager has noted in his reports continuous massacres with details and specific beyond any exaggerations. “Since I arrived Jos, Plateau State there has been an attack on Christian villages every night. His log book and report read like those of observers or Red Cross agents in war-torn Somalia or Rwanda during turmoil except that this is Nigeria and our government wants us to believe that all is well. Here is a sample:

“March 27: Massacre of 12 mourners at a funeral in Ruwi village with a gang rape of 19- year old woman.

April 2: Killing of Anglican pastor Ezekiel Gama by Fulani militia. His wife, Naomi Ezekiel Gama sighted the men and hid.

April 13, Palm Sunday: Deadliest massacre in Zike village of Bassa Local Government leading to the death of 56 people including 15 children and displacing 2000 people.

April 15: I visited some victims at Jos University Teaching Hospital. Three people died in the hospital that day. The majority of the victims had been hacked on the back of their necks with machetes. ”

Despite the presence of the military the CSI’ s president, Dr. John Elbner noted there has been “no effective intervention..” Now what do you call these premeditated killings without state intervention? It is genocide.
Unfortunately your compromised press won’t report this.

Let us come nearer home. According to _International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, Inter- Society,_ 2200 Christians were allegedly killed by Fulani herdsmen, Boko Haram, security personnel and other jihadist, bandits in several states of Nigeria between January and December 2020
They further did a breakdown:

Fulani herdsmen: 1300
Boko Haram/ Splinter groups ISWAP, Ansaru. (500)
NIgerian Army (200)
Jihadist/ bandits. (100)

Further breakdown per state and region shows a pattern which some say they couldn’t see.

Southern Kaduna (455)
Benue State (200)
Plateau State (173)
Southwest (35)
Niger State ( 70)
Kogi ( 55)
Nassarawa (42)
Delta. (20)
Bayelsa (4)
Adamawa (40)
Igboland (40)
Taraba ( 32)
Edo (15)

For those who say there is no pattern in the killings, it depends on where they are looking. Sure there has been widespread killings but it is concentrated in some areas and more pronounced in certain communities which are curiously dominantly Christian. In the Southwest for instance the only state that has been attacked more than the others is Ondo State; the only State where traditional rulers have been killed in the Southwest is Ekiti State. Curiously these are the two dominant Christian states in the region. How else is it true to say there is no pattern in the killings?

A high- powered fact- finding committee set up by Plateau State Government and headed by a Major General (retd) Nicholas Rogers on the tragedies that have befallen the state. The committee submitted its report this penultimate week and its findings are substantial and tragic:

In two decades they found out that no fewer than 420 communities ( _Daily Newshub_ says 450) across 13 Local Government Areas have been destroyed and desolate, 11, 749 people killed in two decades of violence. It also noted:

35% destruction of livestock
32.5% displacement of communities
16.8% destruction of food supplies
9.9% destruction of houses
3.4% illegal land occupation. [ See _Daily Newshub_ 21, September, 2025; _Salientnewsonline.com_ ]
How many are standing trial for these atrocities? None. The House of Representatives member from Plateau State informed the House that 55 communities in his Federal Constituency have been occupied by foreign Fulanis who are now dwelling there. Did the House do anything? Did they summon the army to go and dislodge them? This is why the response from CAN is so disappointing.

A journalist, Steven Kefas who was imprisoned in Kaduna for his writings expressed shock because he never found a single Fulani in the prison for all their atrocities in Southern Kaduna which they even publicly admitted. On the other hand what he found made him sick. He found innocent vigilantes from Southern Kaduna whose only offense was trying to defend their communities. That was their crimes. The serious Fulani prisoners he found brought for other crimes were even looking better fed than him coming from outside. That is Nigeria.
That is the colour of genocide.

Our government has beaten about the bush for too long. The people in Benue and Plateau States who are daily killed and in Southern Kaduna who are constrained from defending themselves from attack are also humans. An army is claiming it has not received orders to attack the assailants yet the same army is stopping the vigilantes from carrying high-grade weapons to confront the hooligans and even arresting them for merely protesting, as we saw in Igbomina Land. What do you call that? When you make people vulnerable to attack from parasitic barbarians from the jungle and leave them defenceless the very people whose tax pay your salaries and drive the convoy in your presidential fleet then that is not just enemy action. It is outright betrayal. When you made people incapable of defending themselves through devious schemes and legislation and selective enforcement of laws and deployment of security agencies thus rendering them vulnerable to murderous jihadist mobs it is not just betrayal or enemy action. It is premeditated killings by instalment. It is genocide.
I love Nigeria but I don’t love her more than God or Truth. What is going on in Nigeria in the last 10 years is a scandal and it must not be denied or trivialized in anyway.
It has come to the stage that the whole world need to see what is happening in Nigeria. In all my life I have never heard or read of any nation where soldiers of a National Army watch while legitimate citizens are being attacked and they refused to act because they have “not been ordered to engage” the assailants. Only in Nigeria. The world must hear that and why this only happens when it concerns a particular ethnic nationality and its deadly militia.
The world must now hear. We have pretended enough about patriotism – the usual refuge of the scoundrels. It is not patriotism to obscure the truth that meant loss of lives for entire people groups. Strangers are now occupying whole communities while the owners of the land are in IDPs camps. Killers, jihadists, terrorists and genocidists are being rehabilitated and furnished in the misbegotten name of “de-radicalisation” while the owners of the land and victims of their atrocities are neglected, hunger- bitten and cold- bitten in IDP Camps. The world must now hear. That is not being unpatriotic.
Let the truth be told: there is Christian genocide in Nigeria. And it must now stop.

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October 8, 2025
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Sesor Foundation and Grooming Centre Extend Decade-Long Mission to Support Nigeria’s Displaced Communities

(Lagos), After more than ten years of changing lives together, the Sesor Empowerment Foundation and Grooming People for Better Livelihood Centre have renewed their partnership. The two organizations signed their agreement in Lagos on August 28, 2025, pledging to continue their vital work with Nigeria’s internally displaced persons. Their mission remains clear: bring relief to families in crisis, restore hope to communities in need, and create pathways to better futures.

For more than ten years, Sesor and Grooming Centre have worked hand in hand, reaching over 110,000 displaced individuals across 14 states with aid, psychosocial care, and pathways to sustainable livelihoods. Their renewed commitment for 2025 promises to deepen this impact, with plans to expand Safe Day Spaces in Lagos and Benue States, deliver relief to 300 IDP households, provide livelihood training for 200 women, and disburse funds to help vulnerable women rebuild their lives. The partnership also emphasizes transparency, with dedicated resources for monitoring, reporting, and sharing stories of resilience with the public.

At the signing ceremony, the atmosphere was filled with purpose and gratitude. Dr. Godwin Nwabunka, CEO of Grooming Centre, spoke with conviction about the shared vision that drives their work. “We believe every life holds value and dignity, and no one should be left without hope,” he said. “For over ten years, our partnership with Sesor Foundation has been one way we stand with displaced families. This renewal strengthens our resolve to help rebuild lives and restore hope for those affected.”

Ier Jonathan-Ichaver, Sesor’s founder, reflected on the journey they’ve shared. “This relationship has endured and delivered real change,” she said, her voice carrying the weight of countless lives touched. “In the past decade, we’ve reached displaced persons in 14 states, offering relief, support, and paths to recovery. Grooming Centre has stood with us in urgent response efforts and joint outreach missions to communities like Apa and Otukpo LGAs. We look forward to achieving even more together.”

The ceremony wasn’t just about formalities; it was a celebration of impact. Sesor presented Grooming Centre with a plaque of appreciation, a heartfelt token of gratitude for their unwavering support. For those in the room, it served as a reminder of what’s possible when compassion meets action.

This partnership represents more than a collaboration—it’s a lifeline for Nigeria’s displaced communities, particularly women and children who bear the brunt of displacement. Sesor, a non-profit dedicated to relief, psychosocial support, and empowerment, has found a steadfast ally in Grooming Centre, an NGO focused on lifting the economically active poor through financial services and skills development. Together, they’re not just addressing immediate needs but building resilience, offering training, and creating opportunities for families to reclaim their futures.

As Nigeria continues to grapple with the challenges of multidimensional insecurity which lead tdisplacement, partnerships like this demonstrate what’s possible through sustained commitment. With their renewed agreement, Sesor and Grooming Centre are reinforcing their promise to restore dignity and foster hope, one life at a time.

For more information, contact Olufunke Adegunwa at +234 808 331 1198 or info@sesor.org.

Ethnic Cleansing Crisis Grips Nigeria’s Middle Belt: Coalition Demands Urgent Federal Action

[spacing size=””]A coalition of 22 civil society organizations, under the banner of the Civic Coalition Against Mass Atrocities in the Middle Belt, has issued a scathing press release, sounding the alarm on a spiraling security crisis in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region. The group is urgently calling for federal intervention to halt what they describe as a systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing that threatens not only lives but the very fabric of democracy in the country.

The Middle Belt, encompassing states like Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Southern Kaduna, Borno, Gombe, and Adamawa, has long been a hotspot for violence. However, the coalition’s report paints a grim picture of escalating atrocities: targeted attacks, massacres, and abductions that have claimed countless lives, left survivors traumatized, and displaced entire communities. The perpetrators, according to the coalition, are not only emptying villages but replacing locals with imported settlers, fundamentally altering the region’s demographic and political landscape.

The coalition identifies three key triggers fueling the current wave of violence. First, the upcoming national census, which they allege is being exploited by terrorist groups to seize territory—ensuring that displaced locals are not counted, thus handing control to the occupiers. Second, the 2027 elections, where the violence could disenfranchise Middle Belt voters, reshaping electoral outcomes. Third, the recent establishment of the Livestock Ministry, which some interpret as a green light for pastoralists to take over land, further inflaming tensions. Adding to the fear, new terrorist fronts led by groups like Lakurawa and Mahmuda have emerged in Niger and Kwara states, raising concerns of a broader regional conflict.

The coalition’s analysis reveals a chilling pattern. The affected states are landlocked, lacking direct access to international borders, making escape or external aid difficult. Over 20,000 square kilometers across Benue, Nasarawa, and Plateau States have been forcibly seized, with the displaced replaced by new settlers. This methodical displacement, the coalition argues, is a deliberate attempt to erase indigenous communities and redraw electoral maps—a campaign they label as ethnic cleansing with devastating implications for Nigeria’s food security, as the Middle Belt is a traditional breadbasket for the country.

“This is not just a security crisis; it’s an attack on the future of elective government in Nigeria,” the coalition stated, emphasizing the need for immediate action. They are urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deploy federal resources to address the region-wide violence, which no single state can tackle alone. Their 12-point action plan calls for coordinated strategies, including a regional security framework led by Middle Belt governors, consultation with border state leaders, and the return of displaced communities to their lands with full executive backing.

The coalition also proposes modern solutions, such as integrating geospatial technology and drones to enhance security operations, alongside an intelligence framework that leverages local knowledge to prevent attacks. They advocate for inter-community security cooperation to bridge ethnic and religious divides and reforms to the Fire Arms Act of 2004, allowing threatened communities to legally defend themselves under supervision—a response to the overwhelming firepower of attackers.

Beyond security, the coalition addresses cultural and political injustices. They demand the restoration of illegally deposed chiefs and scrapped chiefdoms, particularly in Kaduna, where the previous administration under Governor Nasir El-Rufai allegedly dismantled traditional structures like the Adara chiefdom. Citing Article 8(2) of the Rome Statute, they classify the destruction of cultural heritage as a war crime, calling for its reversal.

Judicial accountability is another priority, with the coalition urging swift trials for perpetrators to deter further violence. They also propose a Special Crisis Accountability Bureau (SCAB) to ensure justice, involving top security officials under the Chief of Defence Staff and National Security Adviser. Additionally, they stress the need to protect food security and guarantee voting rights for displaced communities, pressing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure no one is disenfranchised.

The press release, signed by organizations like the House of Justice, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, The Para-Mallan Peace Foundation, the Southern Kaduna Resilience Fund, to mention but a few underscores their readiness to collaborate with authorities. They aim to provide evidence and support sustainable solutions to what they describe as a political crisis with profound humanitarian consequences.

As Nigeria grapples with this escalating crisis, the coalition’s plea is clear: President Tinubu must act decisively to secure the Middle Belt, protect its people, and preserve the nation’s democratic integrity. The stakes, they warn, could not be higher.

Atiku Backs NYSC Member Raye Amid Alleged Threats Over Viral Anti-Tinubu Video

By Eke Chioma

Former Vice President,  Atiku Abubakar, has expressed support for Ushie Rita Uguamaye, a Lagos-based National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member known as Raye, who alleged receiving threats for calling President Tinubu ‘Terrible’  in her video.

In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Atiku praised Raye’s courage, describing her as a symbol of a new generation of politically engaged women committed to advocacy and democratic participation.  

“Raye embodies the spirit of a new generation of women who champion the ideals of popular participation and unwavering advocacy in the political sphere. I deeply admire her boldness and wisdom—her fearless resolve to speak truth to power, undeterred by the weight of opposition,”Atiku wrote.  

“Rather than being met with hostility, Raye deserves encouragement and support. She is a shining emblem of the Nigerian youth—a testament to the long-held promise that the leaders of tomorrow are already among us, ready to shape a better future,” he added.  

Meanwhile, Amnesty International has condemned the reported threats, calling for an end to the intimidation of citizens who express concerns over governance and economic conditions.  

“The vicious threats to the youth corps member by NYSC officials and others must be withdrawn,” the organization stated. “Her rights and safety must be guaranteed.”

Background

Ushie Rita Uguamaye, a Lagos-based NYSC member, raised concerns about alleged threats following the circulation of her viral video criticizing President Tinubu over inflation and economic hardship.  

In a video posted on her TikTok account (#talktoraye) on Saturday, Uguamaye expressed frustration over Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions, lamenting that hard work seems futile amid financial struggles.  

She openly criticized Tinubu, referring to him as a “terrible leader”, while also questioning the government’s efforts to alleviate citizens’ suffering. Additionally, she described Lagos State as a “smelling state”, citing its odour and poor living conditions.  

Shortly after her video gained traction, Uguamaye alleged that she began receiving threats, reportedly from NYSC officials, urging her to stop criticizing the government and delete the video.  

She stated:  “Yesterday, I made a video talking about the Nigerian government and how terrible President Tinubu is, and I was crying in the video. Thirty minutes ago, I received a call from the NYSC board, starting with the secretariat before the LGI. For the NYSC secretariat, I’m going to attach some of the things she said so you guys can hear.”

During a conversation with an alleged NYSC official, the official was heard asking:  “Are you normal?”

In response, Raye clarified that she was not insulting the president. However, the official interjected:  “Come on, keep quiet there. Pull down that rubbish you put there. You are not talking to your mate.”

Raye then asked:  “Are you threatening me?”

NYSC Summons Uguamaye

Following the controversy, the NYSC has summoned Ushie Rita Uguamaye over her viral social media post criticizing President Tinubu’s administration.  

A message from the NYSC Local Government Inspector (LGI), seen on Sunday, instructed Uguamaye, identified by code number LA/24B/832, to report to the Eti Osa 3 local government office by 10 a.m. on Monday without fail.  

The development has triggered widespread reactions from Nigerians, with many questioning whether corps members should be restricted from expressing their views on governance and national issues.  

Nasir el-Rufai: The Bloodlust of a Presidential Wannabe

By Chidi Anselm Odinkalu

IN the week in which former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai abandoned the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to chart a different political trajectory with the Social Democratic Party (SDP), his son, Bashir, characteristically made it known that “Southern Kaduna residents will keep seeing sheghe if they continue to attack indigenous Fulani herdsmen.”

Three things about this, among many, were chilling. One is the absence of any interest in addressing the underlying problem of coexistence between communities. The second is the enthusiastic investment in violence. The third is the indiscriminate nature of the promised violence. This was not the first time an outburst of candour from the El-Rufai clan was laced with unconcealed thirst for human blood.

In January 2019, as the country prepared to go to the polls in a presidential election the following month, the administration of Nasir el-Rufai’s political benefactor, Muhammadu Buhari, guillotined then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen. The manner and timing of the decision drew very sharp international rebuke. In response, Governor el-Rufai went on National television to warn that any foreign observers perceived as meddling in the elections “will go back in body bags.” As influential continental news magazine, Africa Report, delicately put it, these were the words of a man who had “previous ‘anti-meddling’ approach to diplomacy.”

This “‘anti-meddling’ approach to diplomacy” appears to be a family investment. Abubakar Idris was a committed supporter of former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who lived in Barnawa, in Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna State. From there Mr. Idris, better known as “Dadiyata”, engaged in vigorous criticisms of the ruling APC, one of whose founders happened to be Nasir el-Rufai.

On or about 2 August 2019, Dadiyata vanished. He has not been seen since then. A digital visibility campaign to help locate his whereabouts continues under the hashtag #WhereIsDadiyata. Four and a half months after Dadiyata disappeared, on 23 December 2019, Bashir el-Rufai ominously tweeted: “The same clowns who encouraged him when he was creating false stories and capitalising on lies that could endanger lives solely for political ends are the same individuals trending hashtags asking #WhereisDadiyata. Dangerous lies in the public space have consequences.”

Less than three months later, on 11 March 2020, Bashir’s brother, Bello, currently a member of the House of Representatives, went one better with an even more chilling gloat in poor verse: “The things that we’ve done to protect the name are unsettling. But no regrets though, the name will echo. Years later, none greater. Death to a coward and a traitor, that’s just in my nature!”

At his inauguration as Kaduna State governor in May 2015, Nasir el-Rufai identified insecurity as “an obstacle to progress” and promised to “work with law enforcement officials to drastically reduce violent crime” and  “ensure safety of life and limb.” By the time he left office eight years later, he had achieved the exact opposite.

Forgetting this promise, Nasir el-Rufai as Governor brooked no criticism or opposition. No cruelty was considered beyond the pale for them. For daring to disagree with him, el-Rufai demolished the homes of the Zonal vice-chair of his party, Inuwa Abdulkadir; and of his Senator for Kaduna North, Suleiman Hunkuyi. 

He was only just beginning. His regime compiled a jaw-dropping list of body bags. Some, like Dadiyata, disappeared, never to be seen again. Others, like Maiwada Raphael Galadima, Agwam Adara III, paramount ruler in Kajuru, turned up dead or decapitated. The Agwam Adara was ostensibly returning home from a consultation with the state government on a crisis in his domain when he was abducted. His wife, abducted with him, was released after the abductors murdered her husband. The Governor was missing from Agwam’s funeral. After his burial, Nasir el-Rufai swiftly abolished his kingdom and purported to carve it into emirates.

Under Nasir el-Rufai and by appointment of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State attained “notoriety as the deadliest state for Journalists in Nigeria to operate.” They were not the only endangered species. The strategic research group, SBM Intelligence, concluded also that “Kaduna was the most dangerous state for priests, who were often kidnapped during services.”

The governor’s signal accomplishment was to displace Boko Haram from the top of the league of atrocities. This was no easy feat. In May 2014, the United Nations Security Council listed the Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad, (the Islamist insurgency better known as Boko Haram) as a terrorist organisation. Three years earlier, the Gaji Galtimari Presidential Committee on the Security Challenges in the North-East Zone of Nigeria had reported that the group “started as an innocuous non-violent group” around 2003.

Since then, Borno State, the epicentre of Boko Haram’s atrocities, habitually topped the national league table of mass-casualty killings in Nigeria. The monitoring coalition, Nigeria Mourns, reported a peak of 6,138 atrocity casualties in Borno State in 2015. Over the next five years, casualty count in Borno State appeared to drop off quite significantly.

Over 760 kilometres from the Borno State capital, Maiduguri, in Kaduna, the historical capital of northern Nigeria, it almost appeared as if the State government led by Nasir el-Rufai was envious of Borno’s position. In 2015, when Borno State hit the peak in atrocity killings, Nigeria Mourns recorded 411 casualties in Kaduna State. By 2020, the figure had risen to 628. In Borno State in the same year, the count was 1,176 killed.

In 2021, el-Rufai’s Kaduna State overtook Borno to take over the top position in the national body-count of mass-casualty atrocities. That year, Nigeria Mourns recorded 587 killed and 119 abducted in Borno State. In Kaduna State, it counted 1,114 killed and 1,225 abducted. In 2022, at least 1,346 people were abducted in Kaduna State. The comparable figure for Borno State was 77.

To be sure, Kaduna State had a well-advertised history of chronic violence dating back to the 1980s and accounting for tens of thousands killed over the period. Under Nasir el-Rufai however, virulent executive bigotry drove the state beyond the edge through methodical segregation. Leena Hoffman captured the depth of Kaduna’s crisis of sectarian segregation under the governor: “the river that runs through the city of Kaduna, the state capital, highlights the starkness of the divide: the northern half is unofficially called Mecca; the south, Jerusalem.”

The most intense site of chronic mass-casualty atrocities in Kaduna State was Southern Kaduna, which is characterised by linguistic and ethnic diversity coexisting with a high concentration of the State’s non-Muslim populations. For many people, there was only one explanation for the exponential spike in mass-casualty atrocities in Kaduna State – the State governor, Nasir el-Rufai. His administration was widely “accused of a conspiracy of silence” in support of the murderous campaign of extermination in Southern Kaduna.

In one of his earliest acts as governor, Nasir el-Rufai sought exculpation for bandit pastoralists from the chronic massacre in Southern Kaduna, claiming that he had already “spent government money to pay Fulani herdsmen to stop violence in southern Kaduna.” About the armed “bandits” who were to emerge as the fall guys for the violence, Governor el-Rufai later described them as “just collections of independent criminals. It is a business for them.”

When Mr. el-Rufai stepped down from office in 2023, mass-casualty atrocities in Kaduna crashed spectacularly. Nigeria Mourns recorded 413 atrocity killings in Kaduna and 393 abductions. The only thing that appears to have occurred to bring about this transformation was a change in the occupant of the office of state governor.

In January 2017, an audio emerged in which he gloated over the untimely death in 2010 of former President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, his high school contemporary at Barewa College, Zaria on whom he had also visited unrestrained bile in his memoirs. Columnist, Farooq Kperogi, observes that Nasir el-Rufai “embodies one of the most morbidly toxic strains of political intolerance in Nigeria. He exteriorises his discomfort with opposition by literally wishing death upon his opponents or claiming credit for their death.”

Bloodlust such as this can never be slaked. Out of power today, el-Rufai seeks to re-brand himself as an ecumenical politician invested in pluralism. Those who make the mistake of jumping into political bed with him will have themselves to blame.

A lawyer and a teacher, Odinkalu can be reached at chidi.odinkalu@tufts.edu 

Northern CAN Condemns Supreme Court Ruling Upholding Death Penalty for Adamawa Farmer in Disputed Self-Defense Case

By Eke Chioma

Yola, Nigeria — The Supreme Court of Nigeria has upheld the death sentence of Sunday Jackson, a farmer from Dong community in Demsa Local Government Area, Adamawa State, drawing sharp condemnation from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and reigniting debates over judicial fairness and self-defense laws. Jackson was convicted for the 2014 killing of Fulani herdsman Buba Ardo Bawuro, which he insists was an act of self-defense during a violent confrontation.

According to court records, Jackson was working on his farm when Bawuro, allegedly armed with a knife, attacked him. Jackson claims he disarmed his assailant during the struggle, leading to Bawuro’s fatal injury. However, the Supreme Court ruled that Jackson had “reasonable opportunity to flee” and rejected his self-defense argument, affirming a 2021 Adamawa High Court verdict sentencing him to death by hanging. The March 7, 2025, ruling has sparked widespread outrage, with human rights groups and religious leaders demanding justice.

In a strongly worded statement issued in Kaduna, Rev. John Hayab, Chairman of the Northern CAN, denounced the judgment as a “grave travesty of justice” and urged Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri to grant Jackson an immediate pardon. “This ruling blatantly disregards Sections 23 and 24 of the Adamawa State Penal Code, which protect individuals acting in self-defense. Jackson endured a decade of legal battles rooted in a flawed interpretation of the law. We implore the governor to intervene and correct this injustice,” Hayab declared.

The case has drawn international scrutiny, with human rights advocates condemning the verdict. During an Arise TV interview, Emmanuel Ogebe, an international human rights lawyer, warned that the ruling sets a “dangerous precedent” for self-defense claims in Nigeria. “Jackson retrieved the weapon from his attacker—this is textbook self-defense. To sentence him to death is not only unjust but a gross miscarriage of justice,” Ogebe argued.

Echoing his sentiments, U.S.-based activist William Devlin criticized Nigeria’s judiciary, stating, “Sunday Jackson is unequivocally innocent. This ruling exposes systemic failures in protecting vulnerable citizens from flawed prosecutions.”

With all legal appeals exhausted, Jackson’s fate now hinges on Governor Fintiri’s discretionary power to grant clemency. As pressure mounts from civil society groups, legal experts, and religious organizations, the case has become a focal point in broader calls for judicial reform and clarity on self-defense rights in Nigeria.

Northern CAN’s condemnation adds to growing demands for executive intervention, underscoring the deepening divide between public sentiment and the judiciary’s interpretation of the law. The outcome may set a critical precedent for similar cases amid Nigeria’s ongoing tensions between farmers and herders.

Forgotten No More: Bondong’s Path from Devastation to Development 10 Years Later, Despite Lingering Shadows

The Night of Terror

March 13, 2014, remains a day etched in infamy for the people of Bondong District in Southern Kaduna, Nigeria. On that fateful night, four villages—Me-Sankwai, Me-Kakpang, Tyekum, and Me-Kura—were simultaneously attacked by armed militias suspected to be Fulani herdsmen. The assault, which began around 11 p.m., was brutal and unrelenting. Women, children, and even infants were mercilessly hacked to death in what would later be remembered as the Bondong Massacre.

Hours of Devastation.

The assault was methodical and brutal says the District Head of Bondong, Jonathan Mamman as he led a team of the Southern Kaduna Resilience Fund (SKARF) project to the communities. For hours, the villages were engulfed in violence as the militias moved with chilling precision, while residents desperately sought escape in the surrounding bushes, he said.

Despite being merely a 20-minute drive from Manchok town, no security intervention arrived to help the besieged communities. The attackers moved through the villages with devastating efficiency, setting fire to homes and churches, and claiming lives with shocking brutality. Women, children, and even infants were not spared; their lives ended in ways too gruesome to detail. The absence of security forces during these crucial hours remains a painful question that haunts survivors to this day.

Counting the Cost.

By the time dawn broke and the attackers had retreated, the scale of devastation became clear. Search parties recovered 147 bodies from the surrounding bushes, while over 200 houses and churches laid in smoldering ruins. The once vibrant community was reduced to ashes, its survivors left to grapple with unimaginable loss and trauma. The morning light revealed scenes that would forever be etched in the memories of those who survived – charred buildings, destroyed livelihoods, and the heavy task of burying their dead in mass graves that would later become silent testimonies to the tragedy.

A mass grave holding over 50 victims of the massacre

A Decade of Silence.

For ten long years, Bondong’s tragedy seemed destined to become another forgotten chapter in Nigeria’s complex history of violence. The survivors received neither justice nor significant support for rebuilding their shattered lives. They were left to carry their grief alone, their story fading from national consciousness even as they struggled to rebuild. The community’s resilience was tested as they faced the challenge of reconstructing not just their homes, but their entire way of life, without any formal support or recognition of their suffering.

Hope Returns to Bondong

However, on February 6, 2025, hope finally returned to Bondong through an initiative that aims to transform tragedy into triumph. Gloria Mabeiam Ballason Esq, the pioneer of the Southern Kaduna Resilience Fund (SKARF) project and the C.E.O. of House of Justice Africa, led a delegation to the community for a profound purpose: laying the foundation for a memorial school to honor the massacre’s victims on a piece of land acquired by SKARF. This moment marked a turning point in Bondong’s story, bringing with it the first rays of hope many had seen in years.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ballason articulated a vision that transcends mere remembrance. “While it is a fact that the people of Bondong and many other communities in Southern Kaduna may have been knocked down by forces of evil, they must not stay down.It is time to build from the ruins and to rise from these painful ashes.Our generation must never allow evil to have the last word and our children must rise like the sun in its full strength,” she declared. Her dream, she explained, is to see Bondong’s children rise to become global citizens through the power of education. The memorial school represents a beacon of hope, the rebuilding of dignity, and a statement that education can triumph over violence.

The District Head of Bondon, Jonathan Mamman and The Pioneer of SKARF & CEO of House of Justice, Gloria Ballason Esq laying the foundation block for the school

Community Response and Recognition.

The significance of this moment was not lost on the local leadership. District head Mr. Jonathan Mamman described SKARF’s gesture as a remarkable act of remembrance, expressing profound gratitude that Bondong was being remembered in such a meaningful way a decade after its darkest hour. The ceremony included a solemn visit to the mass graves where the massacre’s victims lie buried, a powerful reminder of why this project carries such emotional weight.

SKARF’s Broader Mission

SKARF’s involvement in Bondong is part of a larger mission that began in 2020. The organization was founded with the specific purpose of restoring hope and rebuilding dignity to communities devastated by attacks in Southern Kaduna. Their track record includes the successful launch of their inaugural IDP-SKARF school in Gonin Gora community, Chikun local government area of Kaduna state, tailoring, barbing shops and salons and several academic camps in the same year of their founding. This latest project in Bondong represents a continuation of their commitment to rebuilding and empowering affected communities.

Persistent Vulnerability

A decade after the massacre, Bondong District continues to face significant security challenges that mirror those that enabled the 2014 tragedy. Despite its strategic location bordering Plateau State and its history of violent attacks, the district remains without any permanent security presence. District Head Jonathan Mamman expressed deep concern about this ongoing vulnerability, noting that the same communities targeted in the March 2014 massacre – Me-Sankwai, Me-Kakpang, Tyekum, and Me-Kura – remain exposed to potential threats.

The absence of security infrastructure in Bondong District represents a continuing failure of governance that leaves its residents in a perpetual state of uncertainty. The communities’ proximity to the Plateau State border adds another layer of complexity to their security challenges, as the area has historically been susceptible to cross-border incidents. This security vacuum forces residents to maintain constant vigilance, even as they attempt to rebuild their lives and communities.

Living with Fear

For the people of Bondong, the lack of security presence serves as a daily reminder of their abandonment by state authorities. The communities have had to develop informal security arrangements and early warning systems, but these grassroots efforts can only do so much in the face of well-armed threats. The psychological impact of living under such conditions, especially for survivors of the 2014 massacre, adds another layer of burden to their already challenging journey of recovery.

A New Chapter Begins

As construction begins on the memorial school, Bondong stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Through education and remembrance, the community is weaving a new narrative—one that honors the past while paving the way for a brighter future. The school will serve as both a monument to those lost and a springboard for future generations. As Gloria Mabeiam Ballason aptly put it, “From the ashes of tragedy, a legacy of hope and learning will rise.” 

Bondong’s journey is far from over, but with each brick laid and each child educated, the community takes another step toward healing. Their story is a powerful reminder that even in the face of unimaginable loss, hope can emerge, and resilience can prevail.

Photo Gallery from the event

Eagle Brain Secures Justice for Accident Victims Caused by Julius Berger Truck

In a significant victory for human rights advocacy, the Eagle Brain Human Rights Organization has successfully secured justice and adequate compensation for victims of a tragic accident in Barnawa. The incident, involving a Julius Berger truck, resulted in the loss of two lives and left one individual seriously injured.

The organization’s Chairman, Mr. Daniel Ejembi, confirmed the development in a statement. According to the statement, the survivor’s hospital bills were fully covered, and financial compensation was provided to her. Additionally, the families of the two deceased victims, Anas Saidu and Alex Fagbemi Olawale, received financial compensation to help them cope with their loss.

The accident occurred at High Cost Junction along Bumedine Road when a speeding Julius Berger truck collided with a commercial motorcycle. The impact claimed the lives of the two men and left a third passenger, Comfort John, with severe injuries. Eyewitnesses reported that the truck was traveling at high speed at the time of the crash.

Following the incident, the truck driver was detained at the Barnawa Police Station but was later released due to health concerns. Despite this, Eagle Brain’s relentless efforts ensured that justice was served for the victims and their families.

The organization praised the dedication and perseverance of its members throughout the process, highlighting their unwavering commitment to promoting equity, justice, and a more humane society.

This case underscores the importance of accountability and the role of human rights organizations in advocating for victims of accidents and their families. Eagle Brain’s successful intervention serves as a reminder of the need for stricter enforcement of road safety regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future.

For more updates on human rights advocacy and similar stories, stay tuned to our news section.

House of Justice Sets Bold Vision for 2025, Emphasizes Purpose-Driven Legal Services

In a compelling address marking the 2025 Annual General Meeting, Gloria Mabeiam Ballason Esq., CEO of House of Justice, outlined an ambitious roadmap for the legal conglomerate, emphasizing purpose-driven justice delivery and staff development as key priorities for the year ahead.

Speaking at the House of Justice Complex in Kaduna on Friday, January 17, 2025, Ballason reflected on the organization’s journey from its humble beginnings as MIVE LEGALS in 2010 to its current status as a multi-door justice house, marking over a decade of transformation since its rebranding in November 2014.

“Our enduring vision is to be an excellent global law conglomerate,” Ballason stated, adding that the organization’s mission remains focused on providing legal services that conform with the highest standards of excellence and integrity while finding practical solutions in both law and life.

The CEO unveiled a five-point agenda for 2025, focusing on optimizing access to justice through their multi-door system, improving purpose in work, promoting deserving staff with increased emoluments, ensuring departmental delivery on schedules and projects, and expanding the organization’s global influence.

In a notable departure from conventional corporate addresses, Ballason emphasized the importance of staff welfare and personal growth. “House of Justice seeks to put all our colleagues and affiliates at the center of our justice work,” she declared, highlighting the organization’s commitment to ensuring justice for its staff members first.

The speech revealed plans for collaboration between the CEO’s office and Human Resources to recalibrate the work environment, enabling staff to find purpose whether within or outside the workplace. This initiative follows the recent celebration of outstanding colleagues inducted into the House of Justice Hall of Fame during their decade anniversary celebration in November 2024.

Speaking about client services, Ballason outlined ambitious goals: “We seek zero fatalities, zero life-threatening injuries, and total defeat of the corrupting influences on justice delivery.” While acknowledging progress in this direction, she noted that significant work remains to be done.

The organization, which has expanded from its Kaduna base to establish a presence in Abuja, continues to push boundaries in legal service delivery. Their approach combines excellence, innovation, courtesy, service, and integrity, values that Ballason describes as being “at the heart of what we do.”

During the address, Ballason shared a personal reflection from her conversation with Prof. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, Chairman of the International Advisory Board of the Molluma Yakubu Centre for Medical Law and Mass Atrocities Accountability. “If I was not the Chief Executive of House of Justice, I would really have loved to work at House of Justice,” she revealed, describing the organization as more than a workplace but her “calling, purpose and rhythm.”

The speech also touched on the organization’s commitment to making justice an empowering process and outcome for clients and community members. This commitment involves continuous learning and improvement in service delivery methods while staying within the bounds of law and due process.

Looking ahead, Ballason encouraged staff members to pursue growth at their own pace, whether by “flying, jumping, running, walking or crawling,” emphasizing the importance of continuous movement toward self-improvement.

The meeting was attended by Team Leads from Human Resources and Administration from both Kaduna and Abuja offices, Heads of Departments, and Acting Heads of Departments, along with other staff members.

House of Justice’s vision for 2025 comes at a crucial time when access to justice remains a significant challenge in Nigeria. The organization’s emphasis on combining excellence in legal service with personal development and community impact presents a unique model in the legal service sector.

As the organization moves forward with its plans for 2025, Ballason concluded with an optimistic note: “We have what it takes; we can make it happen and yes, we can make a world of difference when we shine the light that overcomes the darkness of injustice.”

The ambitious agenda set forth by House of Justice for 2025 reflects a comprehensive approach to legal service delivery, combining professional excellence with personal development and social impact, potentially setting new standards for legal practice in Nigeria and beyond.

Eagle Brain Demands Justice For Accident Victims Caused By Julius Berger Truck

A tragic accident occurred early Sunday morning at High Cost Junction along Bumedine Road, Kaduna State, when a truck owned by Julius Berger Construction Company collided with a commercial motorcycle.

The crash, which happened around 3:00 AM, claimed the lives of the motorcycle rider, Anas Saidu, and one of the passengers, Alex Fagbemi Olawale. A second passenger, Comfort John, sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving treatment at Harmony Hospital, Barnawa.

Eyewitnesses allege the truck was speeding when the driver lost control, leading to the fatal collision. The driver, initially detained at the Barnawa Police Station, was released due to health concerns but has since been recalled for further questioning as investigations continue.

Adding to the tragedy, representatives from Julius Berger Construction Company have reportedly shown indifference to the victims’ plight. 

According to witnesses, a representative from the company’s accident and emergency unit allegedly stated, “The case can be taken anywhere without consequences,” sparking outrage.

The Eagle Brain Human Rights Organization, represented by its media head, Joshua Sarkinnoma Madami, has condemned the company’s alleged negligence and lack of accountability. 

The group is demanding justice for the deceased, support for the injured, and compensation for the victims’ families.

“This tragic incident calls for urgent action. Julius Berger Construction Company must take responsibility for the harm caused by their vehicle,” the organization stated.

Authorities are urging calm as the investigation continues. Meanwhile, the public awaits an official statement from Julius Berger Construction Company.