US missionary Alex Barbir expelled from Nigeria

By Tolulope Oke

The Nigerian government has expelled controversial American missionary Alex Barbir from the country, accusing him of making statements capable of inciting violence and deepening divisions, particularly in Plateau State.

Barbir, a former American college football player turned humanitarian, gained attention for his work in Nigeria’s North-Central region, including rebuilding homes, drilling boreholes, and assisting displaced communities in Benue and Plateau States.

However, his growing visibility and commentary on local conflicts reportedly drew scrutiny from government officials.

Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement (North-Central), told Premium Times that Barber’s activities posed a serious threat to national unity.

“He has been… removed and sent out of the country because of the work he’s doing, which is creating division,” Essiet said, linking his speech in Jos to violent incidents in which two individuals were reportedly killed shortly after.

Barbir’s public statements often framed Nigeria’s Middle Belt violence as systematic and coordinated, criticizing authorities and questioning official narratives. In interviews and social media posts, he described attacks on civilians as evidence of a broader war and alleged mismanagement of humanitarian funds.

Critics, including former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad and Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi, warned that Barbir’s rhetoric could escalate tensions in a region already scarred by violence. Social media and public petitions also questioned his proximity to conflict sites and called for investigations into his activities.

Supporters defended Barber, emphasizing the humanitarian impact of his initiatives. Religious leaders, including COCIN priest Ezekiel Dachomo, praised his efforts and warned against attempts to silence him.

Barbir himself, in a statement on Facebook, denied government claims linking his work to the Jos violence, calling Essiet’s assertions “directly lying to the Nigerian and international community.”