US Accuses Nigerian Security Elements Of Enabling Attacks On Christian Communities
A United States lawmaker, Kimberly Daniels, has issued an assessment accusing elements within Nigeria’s security architecture of allegedly enabling attacks on Christian communities, particularly in the country’s troubled North-Central and North-West regions.
Daniels, who is a member of the Florida House of Representatives and doubles as Chairwoman of the United World Congress of Diplomats, made the claims in a report released on April 14, 2026, following a wave of deadly attacks that coincided with the Easter celebrations.
The report paints a grim picture of escalating violence, alleging that worshippers were deliberately targeted during church services on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday across Plateau, Kaduna and Nasarawa states.
According to Daniels, the pattern of attacks suggests more than random acts of violence.
She said, “What we are seeing is a brutal surge in violence that specifically targets religious congregations during their most sacred moments of worship.”
She added that while the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu has publicly condemned the killings, there appears to be a troubling disconnect between official statements and the reality faced by vulnerable communities.
The report relies heavily on testimonies from local residents and survivors, many of whom expressed frustration and fear over what they described as a lack of protection.
One account cited in the document reads, “We hear statements from Abuja, but here, we bury our loved ones almost every week. There is no protection.”
Daniels noted that such voices reflect a broader crisis of confidence, where citizens feel abandoned despite repeated assurances from the government.
Central to the controversy is the continued role of Bello Matawalle, whom the report accuses of being surrounded by credibility concerns dating back to his tenure as governor of Zamfara State.
The document alleges that there have been claims of complicity with armed groups, including accusations of harboring bandit leaders and facilitating ransom arrangements. While these allegations remain contentious, Daniels insisted they cannot be ignored in a country grappling with widespread insecurity.
“When those entrusted with national security are themselves subjects of serious allegations, public trust erodes, and the fight against terrorism becomes dangerously compromised,” she stated.
The report further argues that perceived inconsistencies in leadership and a lack of specialized security expertise may be undermining ongoing efforts to combat insurgency and banditry.
In a deeply personal tone, Daniels explained that her decision to speak out was influenced by direct appeals from Nigerians.
“The position I take on this issue is because of citizens reaching out to me from Nigeria,” she said, describing what she termed the psychological toll of “homegrown terror.”
According to her, “the greatest form of terrorism a person can experience is terror that comes from homegrown familiar enemies”.
“When the people you trust to protect you work undercover with those who want to harm you, it must be devastating,” she said.
She went further to frame the crisis in religious terms, stating, “My brothers and sisters in Nigeria are being martyred simply because they gather to worship Jesus. Meanwhile, many Americans do not fully understand how precious religious liberty is and the protections that come with it.”
The report ultimately calls on President Tinubu to “look inward” and undertake decisive reforms within Nigeria’s security leadership, emphasizing the need to restore both domestic and international confidence.
Daniels also urged the United States and other global partners to increase diplomatic pressure on Nigeria, particularly in light of its designation as a Country of Particular Concern over religious freedom issues.
Reflecting the mood captured in the report, one community leader was quoted as saying, “We don’t need more speeches. We need protection. We need justice.”
The statement underscores a growing sentiment among affected populations that government responses have so far failed to match the scale and urgency of the crisis.
Daniels concluded that releasing the report was, in her words, “the least I can do,” but warned that continued silence or inaction, both locally and internationally, could embolden those responsible for the violence.
