Nigeria’s representative in the United States, Dr. Taiwo Ajibolu Balofin, has told the U.S. Congress that the country is making genuine progress in tackling insecurity—and that many of the attacks often framed as religious persecution are actually driven by criminal activity.
Balofin, who spoke before the House Subcommittee on Africa chaired by Rep. Chris Smith, said both Christians and Muslims are suffering, stressing that even his own family has faced losses. However, he urged Congress to rely on verified data, not assumptions.
He highlighted four key points.
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First, he said leading research institutions, including the International Crisis Group and the U.S. Institute of Peace, now classify most violence in the North-West and North-Central as criminal banditry. He noted that over 60% of abductions in states like Zamfara and Kaduna this year occurred in Muslim communities.
Second, Balofin insisted the Tinubu administration is confronting insecurity more aggressively, with increased troop presence, more air operations using U.S.-supplied Tucano jets, and new stabilization efforts that have rescued thousands. These steps, he said, contributed to a 28% drop in communal-violence deaths this year.
His third point warned that with the 2027 elections approaching, some actors may try to exploit the crisis for political gain. He urged lawmakers to rely on credible reporting.
Finally, he cautioned that harsh U.S. measures could harm joint security efforts, saying cooperation (not punishment) will save more lives.
Balofin recommended stronger U.S.–Nigeria collaboration, including a joint working group on security and religious freedom, expanded community programs, and a transparent support fund for victims of violence.
He ended by saying Nigerians, regardless of faith, “simply want peace.”
