A fresh controversy has emerged over Nigeria’s worsening security situation after a United States lawmaker accused the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, of attempting to stifle international attention on ongoing violence in parts of the country.
The allegation was made by Kimberly Daniels, a member of the Florida House of Representatives and Chairwoman of the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD), during a Facebook Live broadcast. She claimed that after raising concerns about what she described as targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria, she faced pressure from individuals allegedly linked to the minister.
Daniels further alleged that efforts were made to discredit her findings and influence U.S.-based officials. According to her, an unnamed American lawmaker was persuaded to publicly oppose her stance and defend Nigeria’s defence leadership. She also claimed to have seen communications, including prepared statements and promotional materials, which she said were tied to attempts to sway opinion and create division among U.S. policymakers.
“I am speaking on behalf of people who say they are under attack,” Daniels said, noting that her intervention was intended to prompt investigation rather than make definitive accusations. She firmly rejected any attempt to silence her, stressing her constitutional right to speak on international human rights concerns.
The dispute follows a report she released on April 14, 2026, under the UN-WCD, which highlighted rising violence in Nigeria’s North Central and North West regions. The report cited attacks during the Easter period in states such as Plateau, Kaduna, and Nasarawa, and pointed to what it described as a disconnect between official assurances and realities on the ground.
It also questioned the leadership of the defence ministry and recommended a review, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider redeploying the minister and ordering an independent probe.
Daniels said her conclusions were based on testimonies from affected communities, diaspora input, and findings from the UN-WCD’s international network.
