Alex Barbir: From conflict zone to expulsion
Controversy has continued to trail the activities of an American missionary, Alex Barbir, in Nigeria. Our correspondent reports that the foreigner’s criticism of the Nigerian government and other comments had in no small measure generated heated arguments among Nigerians. Barbir, a former athlete turned missionary, reportedly entered Nigeria as part of a faith-based humanitarian mission […]
Controversy has continued to trail the activities of an American missionary, Alex Barbir, in Nigeria.
Our correspondent reports that the foreigner’s criticism of the Nigerian government and other comments had in no small measure generated heated arguments among Nigerians.
Barbir, a former athlete turned missionary, reportedly entered Nigeria as part of a faith-based humanitarian mission under his initiative, Building Zion.
He did not slip into Nigeria unnoticed as his appearances in Plateau and Benue States, captured in a string of videos and field interviews, quickly drew attention to conflict-hit communities across the Middle Belt geopolitical zone, where he presented himself as a humanitarian documenting violence.
In the beginning, his movements showed him at ocations where killings took place, some of which occurred recently, like the case of Miango in Plateau, and others like Kwande in Benue.
His trail also stretched across some of the country’s most volatile flashpoints in Kwara, Kaduna and Taraba States.
In Benue State, he visited communities in Gwer West, Kwande and Guma Local Government Areas respectively, speaking with survivors and displaced families.
He then moved to Plateau State, touring Bokkos and Barkin Ladi where attacks had left homes razed.
In each location, Barbir documented what he described as recurring patterns of violence, using video footage and on-the-ground accounts to build a narrative.
However, his presence alone was not what drew public attention but it was his voice which painted remarks and emotionally charged descriptions that transformed him from a visiting missionary into a central figure in Nigeria’s security conversation.
As his footage spread in parts of the Northj Central states and his words generated controversy, questions began to follow: who is Alex Barbir, why is he in Nigeria, and what impact is his growing influence having on a geopolitical zone already on edge?
Barbir, born August 17, 1997, in Lawrenceville, Georgia, United States, reportedly arrived Nigeria under a faith-based humanitarian mission driven by his initiative, Building Zion around December, 2025, though it could not be established if that was his first entry into the country.
Available records, however, showed he first made a name for himself as a standout athlete at South Forsyth High School and known for his powerful 5’9, 200 pound frame, he was far more athletic than the typical American football kicker.
His college career began with high expectations when he initially committed to Rutgers University, only to perform a high-profile flip to join the Penn State Nittany Lions, one of the most elite programs in American college football.
But a severe hip injury, a torn labrum that required surgery derailed his progress, leading to his quitting football entirely in 2018.
His presence in rural communities such as Yelwata in Guma LGA, as well as parts of Kwande and Gwer West LGAs, has been marked by direct engagement with displaced persons and victims of repeated attacks.
In one of his early visits that drew public attention, Barbir was seen in Yelwata following the June 13 and 14 attacks in 2025, where over150 villagers were reportedly killed. He documented the scale of destruction, including the recovery of skeletal remains of children.
His admirers describe him as a devout Christian committed to humanitarian service, citing his involvement in rebuilding homes, distributing relief materials, and amplifying the plight of affected communities through social media.
Also, his organisation – Building Zion – was said to operate in collaboration with Judd Saul owned American non-governmental platform known as Equipping the Persecuted (ETP), which provides logistical and operational support.
However, his activities and public statements have generated mixed reactions.
Barbir has repeatedly characterised the violence in Benue, Plateau, Kaduna and Taraba as targeted attacks against Christian farming communities, often using strong terms such as “genocide,” while accusing authorities of failing to adequately protect vulnerable populations.
Our correspondent reports that these remarks have drawn criticism from some government officials, and individuals who argue that such narratives risk inflaming tensions and undermining ongoing security efforts.
The controversial field comments
Series of comments made by Barbir during media appearances and visits to troubled communities, have continued to generate controversies. For instance, speaking during an interview with News Central Television, Barbir said, “this is not just some random criminality; this is a war being waged on people,” while describing the scale of killings.
Similarly, while in Plateau State, after visiting communities in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi affected by attacks, Barbir in a recorded address said, “I have walked through villages where families were killed and homes destroyed. This is not random; this is systematic, and it’s devastating these communities.”
While addressing Miango residents after an attack on the community, he said, “If the government is failing to protect you, you should protect yourself from someone who wants to take your life.”
Also in an interview with journalists on the sidelines, he said, “The incident in Miango, it was not about Boko haram, ISWAP or Lukarawu, it it’s the Fulani terrorists. So, the battle needs to be addressed. To the US government, you need to know this; you have the great intelligence all over the world to address it. If you really care about Nigeria, the Christians and even Muslims who are being killed, you really need to address this.”
The comment, which was later amplified across various social media platforms, drew sharp reactions from people, including government officials.
In a separate video recorded during his visit to affected communities and later shared on his social media handles, Barbir directly addressed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying, “Tinubu, where are you? Where are you when your people are being killed?”
He added, “these people are being slaughtered and there is no protection coming for them.”
Reacting, the federal government, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the remarks as “inflammatory and capable of inciting division,” warning that “such narratives, especially when they frame the situation in religious or sectional terms, can worsen an already fragile security situation.”
Also commenting, a presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga, said Barbir’s comments were “misleading and dangerous,” adding that “Nigeria’s security challenges should not be misrepresented in a way that could provoke further unrest among communities.”
However, Barbir’s position has found support among some observers.
A community member in Gwer West LGA, Nathan Terna said, “What he said is what we are facing here. People are being killed and nobody is coming to help us. If he speaks, it is because he has seen it himself.”
While in Bokkos, Plateau State, a youth leader, Daniel Choji, reportedly said, “we took him round the villages that were attacked. What he said is what he saw. Our people are dying and we need help.”
Security analyst, Kabiru Adamu. during an appearance on Arise Television cautioned that while advocacy is important, “language matters in conflict situations. Describing violence as a ‘war’ or framing it along identity lines can escalate tensions and trigger reprisals if not carefully managed.”
Meanwhile, tensions also emerged over his humanitarian projects, including a disagreement with the Benue State government.
For instance, the Chairman of Gwer West LGA, Victor Ormin, faulted an unapproved tour involving Barbir across some communities, describing it as a security concern and questioning the authorisation of the visit.
Ormin in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, said “I must be frank with you that as the chairman of the council, I’m the Chief Security Officer (CSO) but I wasn’t aware of the visit of Barbir. I was even taken back knowing that he came into the local government through the instrumentality of a former LG chairman who knows the laiddown procedures of such visits.
“I wasn’t happy and had to make such a public announcement. An American citizen or any other visitor coming to my LGA, my office should be the first point of call and even if I’m not in office, I will direct my deputy to welcome such a person and even provide security to ensure the person carries out their activities successfully and peacefully in my domain.
“He did not carry out any humanitarian activity to the best of my knowledge in my LGA. I have not seen or felt any impact of his visit up till now. It was only once he came to my domain to my knowledge. And I like to make this public that we are not against any humanitarian offer or services. We are always welcome as we have a serious humanitarian crisis and we don’t have any problem with anybody coming to support us so long as they follow the laid down protocols. That will help us provide security.
“For a foreign citizen, he has to go through the federal, the state and then down to the local government. We welcome anything that will make life more meaningful for our people. I haven’t gone out of my way to know the motive of his coming because I didn’t have any interaction with him. I did not give him any security support so I don’t know the security he brought in.”
Reacting to his Gwer West visit, an Internally Displaced Person (IDP), Ibaah Jacob said, “I saw him at Agagbe IDP camp in January this year with Ayaga Francis, a former Gwer west council chairman and he told us that he came to tour our displaced communities to have first hand information of atrocities committed against us. He also stressed that we should have faith in God that one day our prayers will be answered and we will go back to our ancestral homes.”
In Guma LGA, Barbir had a disagreement with government on the proposed cost of rebuilding a market in Yelwata where he had alleged inflation of a N300 million project suggesting it could be executed at a lower cost, a claim that further stirred public debate.
While Barbir allegedly proposed rebuilding the destroyed market for N60 million, he claimed state officials demanded a budget of N300 million for the same project, which he characterised as cost inflation for embezzlement.
He called out the state’s humanitarian commissioner, Aondowase Kunde, over the number of his housing projects disputed by the official who claimed it was only 18 units.
The community leader of Yelwata, Zaki Julius Joor, however hailed Barbir for rebuilding many houses in Yelwata, saying, “He built at least 44 houses for those affected by the attacks. He first came in December 2025, then returned after Christmas to begin the work. He was also around in March and has visited about three to four times.”
Joor added that Barbir came alone but was accompanied by security personnel, thanking him for giving hope to members of the community.
“The houses he built were for people affected by the attacks, whose homes were either completely destroyed or partially damaged. The borehole he drilled remains the best in Yelwata town. As for the market, he tried to rebuild it during his first visit, but the state government did not allow him.
“They asked him to hand over the money for the project so they could rebuild it themselves, but the amount requested was too high. We were aware of everything, and that is why he didn’t go ahead with rebuilding the market, and till now the market remains in that condition. But the governor visited two weeks ago and promised to rebuild it.”
Daniel Gbenda, another resident in the heat of the argument like many others took to his social media platform, urging government to support and not frustrate the efforts of the foreign humanitarian, alleging that his intervention in rebuilding destroyed homes has faced setbacks.
A similar situation was reported in Jato-Aka, Kwande LGA, where concerns were raised over the coordination of aid efforts for the burial of those killed during attacks on several communities of Turanland.
Chairman of Kwande LGA, Vitalis Neji, criticised an unapproved tour involving Barbir across some communities, describing it as a ‘security concern’ while questioning the purpose and authorisation of the visit.
Neji in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, said the American came into the state under the guise of providing humanitarian assistance to the less privileged.
“Where I had problems with him was when he visited my locality without informing me as CSO of Kwande LGA. I should be informed of his visit but I wasn’t told. As you may know, I’m in charge of security here; even the head of the Army stationed here and other security agencies report to me everyday; then who is he not to follow through the same channel?
“Some people like him take advantage of the vulnerable and come under the guise of humanitarian service only to do something else. Some use insecurity to enrich themselves. The right thing to do when such persons are coming to give aid is to inform the authority even the governor should be aware.
“I don’t know the motive behind what Alex Barbir is doing. Even when he came for the burial of those people killed during an attack in their localities, I was not in the local government and unknown to him, after the incident, I directed my deputy to contact families of the slain people who buried their dead immediately. If he had contacted me, I would have told him they had already being buried. So, he didn’t get anything when he reached there.”
He said he couldn’t tell how many times the American had been to Kwande but was told he comes secretly and always moved around with some boys. “In all this coming, he hasn’t rendered any help to the displaced persons and had nothing on ground; no food items or any donation from him so far to the less privileged.He comes with his own security not the one we have on ground here,” Neji maintained.
Meanwhile, the state’s humanitarian commissioner, Kunde did not respond to several calls and messages put through his line for comments over the matter even as the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA)’s Information Officer, Terna Ager, simply said he had no idea about the matter.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue command, DSP Udeme Edet, said she wasn’t aware of his activities in the state.
“Police didn’t give him any coverage, he came with his own security. We don’t know how he came or who brought him,” Edet noted.
Barbir expelled
There are unconfirmed reports that the American was briefly detained by security operatives earlier this year following his criticism of government’s response to the crisis. Our correspondent, however, couldn’t independently verify the claim as at the time of filing this report.
Similarly, a recent report indicates that Barbir was sent out of Nigeria on account of his inflammatory speeches in Jos which allegedly led to the killing of two persons.
Abiodun Essiet, a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to President Tinubu on Community Engagement, had made the disclosure in a televised interview that Barbir, an American missionary and humanitarian activist, was no longer in Nigeria. In the interview with TVC, Essiet said Barbir’s visa was revoked and he was sent out of Nigeria because he was creating division in the country.
Essiet said shortly after Barbir delivered a provocative speech in Jos, two Muslims were killed.
In Essiet’s words; “Alex Barbir is no more in Nigeria. His Visa has been revoked and he has been sent out of the country because of the work he is doing which is creating division. Immediately after he made his speech in Jos a lot of people don’t know that two Muslims were killed and because of the impact of this provocative speech which he has been doing, he was sent out of the country and he is no longer in Nigeria.”
Barbir, however denied his alleged expulsion, saying it was fake news in a post made on his social media handle a few days ago, where he also stated that at Barkin Ladi in Plateau State, his work was bringing new life to the people.
“This is why we are actively working to drill water wells in each village we rebuild,” he stated.
Barbir defend comments, actions
Defending himself in a viral video interview aired on TVC, Barbir said he was rather drawing attention to ignored violence and not inciting it. On his expulsion from Nigeria. In the video he brandished his traveling document which indicated his trip to Nigeria covered a period of March 10 to April 1st, 2026.
“Let it be known; The Nigeria government is boldly lying to the international and Nigerian community. Not one government official spoke to me, especially this one (referring to Essiet), whom I never heard of until a few minutes ago. I had a round trip flight through March 11 to April 1st which has been publicly posted. Why is the Nigerian government openly lying?” he asked
He added, “My flight is planned from March 10 to April 1st. No government asked me to leave.”
Furthermore, in another video titled Slander, lies and allegations, Barbir defending himself in a TVC interview where the anchor confronted him with all aforementioned allegations, said, “The truth is my greatest weapon and defense. I say again that anybody in their right mind should protect themselves. Nobody in their right minds would want their families to be killed. If the government is failing to protect you, you should protect yourself from someone who wants to take your life.
“There is nothing wrong about that,” he further stated on the Politics platform of TVC posted on April 14 on his Facebook page.
Barbir also during the interview said, “On Christian genocide; I have been very vocal about government not doing everything to stop the killing. I have been talking about killings in Plateau, Benue and Taraba but have never been particular about Zamfara, Kastina…”
Responding to allegations of pushing an agenda in Nigeria to destabilise the country’s people and working as an American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), especially following speculation from his social media posts showing him (Barbir) in military-style gear and body armour, he said,
“The reality is that people will continue to push or allege anything they desire. But I will say, if you want to allege something, there is need for evidence or proof of such. So, if somebody wants to say I’m a foreign agent, what shows that I’m foreign agent? What proof or evidence shows that I’m a foreign agent.
“Which CIA operates before the public eye? I’m not in the hide, I am very open and you can see what I do, the football I play, where I work and the countries I go to. So, no need for false allegations without proof.”
Efforts by Weekend Trust to get confirmation on the current status of Babir from the Department of State Security (DSS) proved abortive as mesages sent to their spokesperson were not responded to at the time of filimg this report.