The Nigerian government has expelled American missionary Alex Barbir, citing concerns that his public statements could inflame tensions and deepen divisions, particularly in Plateau State.

The move was confirmed on Tuesday by Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement (North Central), during an appearance on TVC.

“Yes, so we’ve realised what Alex Barbir has done, so I must inform that Alex Barbir is no longer in Nigeria,” Essiet said. “He has been, we can say, removed and sent out of the country because of the work he’s doing, which is creating division.”Essiet linked Barber’s remarks to immediate violence in Jos, stating that two Muslims were killed shortly after one of his speeches there. She described his comments as provocative and said the government acted to prevent further unrest, comparing the narrative to events leading to the Rwandan genocide.

Barbir, a former American football player who founded the Building Zion initiative, had been active in conflict-affected areas of Benue and Plateau states. In collaboration with a US-based NGO, he helped rebuild homes for displaced residents, including 35 housing units in Yelwata, Benue State, as january 2026.

Local leaders praised the humanitarian effort. The traditional ruler of Yelwata, Julius Joor, said: “For the first time, private individuals have come to our aid in such a massive way. You have restored hope and happiness to our people.” Legal practitioner Franc Utoo added that Barber had done what federal and state governments had failed to do.

However, Barbir’s statements about the violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt drew sharp criticism. In interviews, he described the attacks as “not just some random criminality… This is a war being waged on people” and questioned official narratives by asking, “If there’s no war in Nigeria, what is happening?”

Critics accused him of oversimplifying complex issues involving farmer-herder clashes, banditry, and insurgency, and of framing the conflict too heavily along religious lines, which they said risked inflaming tensions. Former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad and cleric Ahmad Gumi were among those who raised concerns.

In response to the expulsion announcement, Barber denied the government’s claims in a Facebook post, calling them lies and stating he had never interacted with Essiet.

He maintained that his focus had been on highlighting the suffering of victims and rebuilding communities, not inciting violence. Supporters, including COCIN priest Ezekiel Dachomo, defended his work and warned against efforts to silence voices drawing attention to the crises.

Under Nigerian law, authorities can deport foreigners whose actions are deemed contrary to the national interest or capable of inciting disorder.

The case has sparked debate over the balance between humanitarian aid, freedom of expression, and maintaining public peace in sensitive regions.

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A member of the National Assembly representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Sharafadeen Ali, has paid a courtesy visit to President Bola Tinubu in Lagos State.

According to Oyo Affairs, the meeting took place on Monday evening at the President’s private residence in Ikoyi.

Although details of his discussion with the President were not disclosed, PUNCH reports that Alli was being considered as a consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State.

The senator and two other High Chiefs, Bolaji Adewoyin and Kola Babalola, were also reported to have been promoted by the Oyo State Government to crown-wearing Obas in Ibadanland.

His visit to Tinubu is among a series of high-profile political engagements for the President, who is in Lagos for the Easter break.

Photographs of the meeting, which circulated on social media, showed the senator and the President in a warm interaction at the Ikoyi residence.

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The headquarters theatre command of joint task force (JTF) in the north north-east, Operation HADIN KAI says its troops have arrested five suspects linked to an “unauthorised discharge of firearms” that killed a 14-year-old girl on Saturday in Maiduguri, Borno state.

In a statement on Sunday, Amnesty International said the
secondary school student was killed on Saturday, April 4, after she was hit by
a stray bullet inside her home.

Amnesty International said the shot was reportedly fired by military personnel engaged in celebratory gunfire during a wedding ceremony at a nearby event centre.

However, giving an update on the incident in a statement on Monday, Sani Uba, media information officer of Operation HADIN KAI, said troops, working with the civilian joint task force (CJTF), arrested five suspects linked to the “unlawful use of firearms during a social event”.

According to the statement, the incident occurred around 2pm on Saturday, when vigilantes and an escort team attached to the chairman of a local government area (LGA) engaged in sporadic firing into the air during a wedding celebration at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Teachers’ Staff quarters, leading to the teenager’s death.

Uba said troops traced and apprehended five suspects, who will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigationand prosecution.

“The Theatre Command strongly condemns the act, describing it as unprofessional, unauthorised, and a clear violation of established regulations governing the handling and use of firearms,” the statement reads.

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Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has expressed strong optimism that the Boko Haram insurgency will soon be defeated.

The governor made the declaration in an Easter message issued on Sunday, April 5, 2026, through his media aide, Dauda Iliya, while felicitating with Christians in Borno and across Nigeria.

Zulum described Easter as a sacred season that symbolises sacrifice, forgiveness, and love.

He urged residents to sustain the existing religious harmony between Christians and Muslims in the state.

“It is heartening to observe the level of religious harmony between Christians and Muslims in the state. I urge all residents to sustain this spirit as we continue to take deliberate steps towards achieving lasting peace,” he said.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving security and the welfare of the people.

He noted that his government has scaled up palliative distribution to over 300,000 families to ease the impact of current economic hardship.

Zulum also called for unity and restraint, especially during the present political climate.“I want to remind us that Borno belongs to all of us.

We must shun divisive tendencies, especially during this political period. We have embarked on a collective journey of recovery, and we must not allow enemies of peace to derail our progress,” he added.

He commended traditional rulers, religious leaders, the Nigerian Armed Forces, other security agencies, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), hunters, and vigilantes for their sacrifices and recent successes in the fight against insurgency.

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The federal government has dismissed reports suggesting the cancellation of Nigeria’s Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) policy, clarifying that th system has instead been upgraded to enhance efficiency.

Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo made this known after a closed-door meeting with a delegation from the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council in Abuja.

According to him, “The Visa-on-Arrival process is not being scrapped. Rather, it has been upgraded to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Travellers will still be able to apply online for short-stay visas, with approvals granted within 24 to 48 hours.”

He further explained, “Once approved, the visa will be sent to the applicant’s email, eliminating the need for a physical sticker upon arrival. This enhanced system aims to cut out inefficiencies, allowing Nigeria to better automate and control the inflow of travellers.”

Tunji-Ojo added that the reform is part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s investment climate. “With this upgrade, the country takes another step towards
improving its business environment and attracting foreign investment. This
upgrade builds upon the existing online approval system, streamlining the
process and enabling travellers to receive their approvals ahead of time,” he said.

On her part, Director-General of PEBEC, Zahrah Audu, noted that the meeting was convened to address concerns and clarify the government’s
position on the VOA policy.

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The only son of late President Buhari, Yusuf, has declared interest in running for the House of Representatives seat in the 2027 poll.

 

Former Presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, announced this on X last night.

‘’Following wide consultations, Yusuf Buhari, the son of our late boss, President Muhammadu Buhari, has informed stakeholders of his intention to contest for the House of Representatives seat for Sandamu/Daura/Mai’Adua constituency under the All Progressives Congress.”

Buhari was president of Nigeria from 2015 to 2023. He passed away on July 13, 2025.

At least seven state governments have evacuated at leas 1,630 students from the University of Jos (UNIJOS) following escalating security concerns in Plateau state.

On March 29, suspected bandits struck a popular bar in Angwan Rukuba, Jos north LGA, shooting sporadically, with at least 28 people confirmed dead and several left injured afterwards.

The attack sparked outrage on social media, prompting the state government to impose a 48-hour curfew in the affected local government.

Joyce Lohya Ramnap, the information commissioner, said Caleb Mutfwang, governor of the state, both condemned the attack, describing it as “barbaric and unprovoked”.

Due to its proximity to the affected community, the management of the University of Jos (UNIJOS) suspended all examinations scheduled for the week, rescheduling them until after the Easter celebration.

The university also ordered immediate evacuation of students from its hostels on Wednesday as tension heightened in the state.

Following the directive, about seven state governments have evacuated their indigenes from the university over the past five days.

On Monday, the Delta state government announced the evacuation of 34 indigenes of the state over security concerns.

According to Sunday Onoriode, the state director of protocol, the evacuation became necessary following the closure of the university by its management.

On Sunday, the Lagos state government also said it had evacuated over 230 students citing the worsening security situation.

In a statement, Mamud Hassan, director of public affairs at the state ministry of tertiary education, said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu deployed a convoy of buses with security escorts to facilitate the safe return of affected students to Lagos.

MORE EVACUATIONS

On Saturday, Adamawa state also evacuated about 120 indigenes from the university. Humwashi Wonosikou, chief press secretary to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, said the evacuation was conducted under heavy security.

In a statement on Saturday, Joseph-Kelvin Enyam, special assistant on student affairs to the Cross River governor, said the state government evacuated 37 students from UNIJOS.

On Friday, Benue state government also said it had evacuated 600 indigenes from the university over security concerns.

In a statement, Tersoo Kula, chief press secretary to the state governor, quoted Hyacinth Alia as saying, “This decision became necessary as it concerns the lives and welfare of our people, especially the future leaders studying outside the state”.

That same day, Bauchi state government, according to Hadiza Kango, commissioner for higher education and regional integration, also evacuated 64 students from the university.

In a statement, Kango said the intervention followed a distress call from the president of the National Union of Bauchi State Students, Mohammed Suleiman, who alerted authorities that the students were trapped in their hostels due to the unrest.

Meanwhile, three days after the Rukuba attack, Nasarawa state evacuated 545 indigenes from the university.

The exercise was reportedly carried out in collaboration
with the leadership of the Nasarawa State Students Association (NASSA).

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The Youth Wing of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has
issued a three-day ultimatum to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, demanding the restoration of the party’s leadership as recognized in 2025 or face nationwide civic action.

Addressing journalists on Monday at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, the ADC National Youth Leader, Balarabe Rufa’i, accused INEC of undermining democracy and acting outside its constitutional powers. Rufa’i described Nigeria as being “under democratic siege,” alleging that institutions meant to safeguard the will of the people were being compromised and weaponized against democratic principles.

He traced the crisis to a National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting held on July 29, 2025, where the party dissolved its National Working Committee and produced a new leadership led by David Mark. According to him, INEC had initially verified and officially recognized the outcome in September 2025 without any dispute.

“Months later, individuals who had already resigned resurfaced to challenge a process they had no legal standing in,” Rufa’i said, adding that despite a Court of Appeal directive to maintain the last
uncontested position, INEC allegedly ignored the order and acted on pending
motions and non-binding communications.

He insisted that INEC lacked the constitutional authority to
interpret court rulings, describing its actions as “complicity, partisanship,
and institutional sabotage”.

The ADC youth leader called on the National Assembly to
urgently investigate the matter and consider appropriate sanctions, including the possible removal of the INEC Chairman. He also urged the judiciary to clarify its orders to prevent what he described as manipulation and to reaffirm its authority as the sole interpreter of the law.

Rufa’i further appealed to the military to remain neutral, emphasizing that the issue was strictly a civil and constitutional matter.

Reaffirming the party’s stance, he declared that the leadership produced at the July 2025 NEC meeting remained the only legitimate authority within the ADC, warning that any attempt to alter it without a final court judgment would be “illegal, null, and void”.

The group outlined its demands, including the immediat restoration of the David Mark-led leadership on INEC’s official portal, a public apology from the commission, and a commitment to uphold neutrality and the rule of law.

Rufa’i also called on the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to refrain from actions that could weaken opposition parties, warning that such moves would threaten Nigeria’s democracy.

He warned that failure to comply within 72 hours would trigger nationwide, peaceful protests, including the occupation of INEC offices across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“We will not retreat, we will not be intimidated, and we will not be silenced. This is bigger than ADC. This is about Nigeria,” he said.

This comes days after INEC derecognized ADC leadership over a pending court dispute.

INEC chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, had explained that
if ADC goes ahead with its planned congresses and convention, it may affect the opposition party in the 2027 general elections.

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The Presidency has warned the former Anambra Governor, Peter Obi, against unfairly targeting President Bola Tinubu over the ongoing crisis in the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Special Adviser of the president on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Onanuga described the attacks “baseless” and emphasized that the ADC turmoil is entirely self-inflicted.

“After using the Labour Party to contest the highest office in the country, Obi abandoned it in a classic case of use-and-dump, failing to demonstrate leadership in resolving the party’s crisis.

“Instead, he turned to the Obidient movement, more active online than on the ground, without transforming it into a political structure of his own.” Bayo Onanuga said.

“Knowing he needs a party structure to pursue his presidential ambitions, Obi moved to the hijacked ADC, an SPV bought by Atiku Abubakar from Ralph Nwosu.

“No due diligence appears to have been conducted by the new owners, resulting in the current turmoil.”

“What connection does President Tinubu have with all this? Absolutely none.

“Obi and his team must resolve their internal party issues before contesting for the 2027 presidential ticket.

“Blackmailing the President over a situation he has no hand in is sheer baloney and an unfair attempt to besmirch his democratic credentials.

“The fact that Obi came third in 2023 does not guarantee him similar results in 2027.

“President Tinubu, as the incumbent, has achievements to showcase, yet Obi has been blind to acknowledge them. Let him first become a legitimate candidate before casting aspersions,” the presidency said.

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