Genocide Claims: US Lawmaker Accuses Matawalle of Attempting to Influence Colleague to Counter Sack Calls

Genocide Claims: US Lawmaker Accuses Matawalle of Attempting to Influence Colleague to Counter Sack Calls

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

A fresh controversy has surfaced over Nigeria’s security situation after a United States legislator accused the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, of attempting to influence foreign opinion on reported killings 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, during a Facebook live broadcast in which she claimed there were efforts to discredit her earlier report on insecurity in Nigeria.

Daniels alleged that following her public comments on what she described as targeted attacks on Christian communities, she faced pressure from individuals she linked to the Nigerian defence minister. According to her, the pressure included attempts to undermine her credibility and influence other US-based officials to counter her position.

She further claimed that an unnamed American lawmaker was allegedly offered financial inducement to publicly oppose her report and defend Nigeria’s defence leadership. Daniels said she had seen evidence of communication, including what she described as prepared statements and promotional materials tied to the effort.

The Nigerian government had yet to issue an official response to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.

The development follows a report released on April 14, 2026, by Daniels in her capacity as head of the UN-WCD, which raised concerns over rising violence in parts of Nigeria’s North Central and North West regions. The report cited incidents during the Easter period in states such as Plateau State, Kaduna State and Nasarawa State, pointing to what it described as a disconnect between official assurances and realities on the ground.

It also questioned the leadership of the defence ministry, recommending a review of the country’s security architecture and calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider reforms, including a possible redeployment of the minister and an independent investigation into the claims.

During her broadcast, Daniels maintained that her position was based on testimonies from affected communities, diaspora input and findings from the UN-WCD’s international network.

“I am speaking on behalf of people who say they are under attack,” she said, noting that her call was for investigation rather than outright accusation.

She also dismissed what she described as attempts to silence her, insisting on her right as an elected official to comment on international human rights issues.

The allegations come amid sustained global attention on Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly in rural and agrarian communities where attacks have persisted despite ongoing military operations.

Analysts say the claims could introduce a diplomatic dimension to the issue if they prompt formal inquiries by US authorities or international bodies.

Within Nigeria, reactions remain divided, with some stakeholders urging caution pending independent verification, while others warn against politicising security concerns.

As of press time, there has been no independent confirmation of the bribery allegation, and the Ministry of Defence has yet to respond publicly.

Observers note that the dispute highlights increasing international scrutiny of Nigeria’s security framework and underscores the need for transparency in addressing allegations involving public officials.