By Faith Chondol
An American fact-finding mission has confirmed the ongoing persecution and killings of Christians in Nigeria, describing the situation as a “calculated and long-running genocide.” The delegation, invited by Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, urged the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take immediate action to prevent further violence and international sanctions.
The U.S. delegation, led by Retired Mayor Mike Arnold of Blanco, Texas, included Retired Ambassador Lewis Lucke, Pastor Jed D’Grace, and Mr. Judd Saul. Their visit was coordinated by presidential aide Reno Omokri to investigate allegations of religious persecution and insecurity in Nigeria.
In a report released by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), the group said it felt “fully vindicated” by the findings of the American team. According to Intersociety, although the delegation was funded by the Nigerian government, it maintained its independence and integrity by “refusing to compromise or distort the truth.”
During a press conference held in Abuja on October 14, Mayor Arnold stated that the scale of killings and displacements across Northern and Middle Belt Nigeria amounted to “an ongoing genocide against Christian communities and other religious minorities.”
“The campaign of violence and displacement in Northern and Middle Belt Nigeria does indeed constitute a calculated, current and long-running genocide… To continue to deny this is to be complicit in these atrocities,” Arnold said, emphasizing that his remarks were made independently of any government influence.
Intersociety expressed concern that despite the significance of the findings, the event received “little or no coverage” from Nigerian media outlets. The organization also alleged attempts to “twist and adulterate” the mission’s original report.
The group described the findings as a “wake-up call” for Nigerian authorities, warning that failure to act could result in Nigeria being designated by the United States as a “Country of Particular Concern,” a status that may lead to targeted sanctions on top officials.
Intersociety outlined 21 urgent policy recommendations to the Tinubu administration, including:
Upholding the secular provisions of the 1999 Constitution (Sections 10 and 38).
Abolishing blasphemy and Sharia enforcement laws that contradict the constitution.
Ending “state-backed jihadism” and religious bias in the security sector.
Investigating the fate of over 5,000 missing detainees allegedly moved from the South-East to the North since 2015.
Disarming jihadist militias and repatriating foreign fighters.
Resettling displaced communities and rescuing Christian hostages in Rijana Forest, Kaduna State.
Ensuring religious balance in leadership and abolishing the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket structure.
The organization further urged the Nigerian government to draw lessons from peaceful restructuring examples such as Tanzania’s union in 1964, Germany’s unification in 1989, and Sudan’s 2005 peace accord.
“This is not just about faith; it is about national survival,” Intersociety warned. “If Nigeria implodes, the consequences will spread beyond Africa to Europe, America, and Asia.”
The group called on the Tinubu-led administration to act decisively, restore secular governance, and protect the rights of all citizens irrespective of religion or ethnicity.
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