JOS, Nigeria – American missionary and humanitarian Alex Barbir has issued a harrowing assessment of the security crisis in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, warning that the scale and precision of recent attacks indicate the country is no longer facing mere banditry, but a full-blown “domestic war.”
Barbir, who has spent years on the frontlines of relief efforts in Plateau and Benue states, spoke out following the Palm Sunday massacre that left dozens dead. He argued that the level of coordination seen in these assaults—often involving hundreds of armed men striking multiple villages simultaneously—proves a sophisticated military-grade organization.
Beyond Communal Clashes
For years, the Nigerian government has characterized the violence in the region as “farmer-herder clashes.” However, Barbir is among a growing number of international observers who reject this narrative.
“The scale and coordination of these attacks show the country is facing a domestic war,” Barbir stated. He pointed to the systematic displacement of thousands of villagers and the tactical destruction of food supplies as evidence of a scorched-earth campaign designed to permanently alter the region’s demographics.
Allegations of Systemic Failure
The missionary’s critique extends to the Nigerian security apparatus, which he claims has been “grossly ineffective” or, in some cases, complicit.
- Late Responses: Barbir noted that despite early warnings and distress calls, security forces often arrive hours after the killers have retreated into the forests.
- Sophisticated Weaponry: He highlighted that the attackers are frequently better armed than the local police, using high-caliber rifles that are supposedly restricted to the military.
Rebuilding Amidst the Rubble
Despite the deteriorating security situation and reported threats to his own safety, Barbir’s NGO, Building Zion, continues to work on the ground. He has been a vocal critic of the government’s handling of relief funds, opting instead to directly fund the reconstruction of homes in devastated communities like Yelewata, Benue State.
“If the government won’t protect them, and the government won’t rebuild for them, then we will,” Barbir said, standing amidst the ruins of a recently attacked village.
International Implications
Barbir’s testimony has reached the halls of the U.S. Congress, where lawmakers like Rep. Riley M. Moore have cited his reports as evidence of a “genocide” that requires international intervention. The missionary warned that if the Nigerian government continues to treat these massacres as “isolated incidents,” the entire West African sub-region faces the risk of total destabilization.
As of press time, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters has not issued a specific rebuttal to Barbir’s “domestic war” classification, though they have previously warned foreign nationals against making “incendiary” comments regarding internal security.
