“A US elected official was offered money by Nigeria’s minister of state defense, Bello Matawalle, to change the narrative of the UN-WCD Christian genocide in Nigeria report.”, Kimberly Daniels, a Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives (District 14) and chairperson of the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD).
In a viral video posted on her official Facebook, Kimberly Daniels, a Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives (District 14) and chairperson of the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD), stated that Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, offered money to a US elected official to “change the narrative” of a UN-WCD report on what it calls the “Christian genocide in Nigeria.” She said the bribe attempt aimed to deflect or counter the report’s findings, which she claims indicted Bello Matawalle, Nigeria’s minister of state defense.
She added that they have “proof of the communication and materials sent” and insisted, “We will not be silenced. We will not be intimidated.”
Daniels had about a week earlier (around April 15) publicly called for President Bola Tinubu to remove or redeploy Matawalle, citing “serious red flags” related to insecurity in states like Plateau, Benue, and Kaduna, alleged past links to banditry (from his time as Zamfara governor), and broader concerns over leadership in Nigeria’s Defence Ministry. She urged the Nigeria’s president to review defence leadership due to worsening insecurity and attacks on vulnerable (often Christian) communities.
The UN-WCD report, based on what she described as ground-level investigations, frames attacks on Christian communities in northern and north-central Nigeria as targeted genocide rather than random violence or general banditry. This appears to be a document or press release from Daniels’ organization (involving diplomats or representatives from multiple countries) highlighting killings, destruction of communities, and alleged complicity or inaction by some Nigerian officials. It specifically raises concerns about Matawalle and recommends leadership changes in the defence sector.
Supporters of the Tinubu’s government have criticized Daniels’ earlier calls for Matawalle’s removal as “ill-informed” or lacking context, arguing they oversimplify complex security issues and threaten Nigeria’s sovereignty. Supporters of the allegation (often from Christian advocacy or opposition voices) see it as confirmation of high-level complicity in violence against Christians. Matawalle has not issued a public statement denying or addressing the bribery allegation (efforts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful in some reports).
Nigeria has long faced deadly attacks in the Middle Belt and Northwest, with thousands killed over years—disputes often center on whether these are primarily ethnic/resource-driven, jihadist, or involve state complicity. Independent verification of “genocide” terminology vs. “banditry/insurgency” remains contested.
The ongoing conflict in Nigeria's Middle Belt and northern regions has been a complex and multifaceted crisis for years. My personal research and following of the situation reveals how deeply rooted and tragic the violence is, with communities caught in cycles of attacks and retaliation. The allegation of bribery to suppress a report labeling these atrocities as Christian genocide is particularly concerning because it suggests attempts to obscure the truth at high governmental levels. In many cases, these attacks are not simply random acts of violence but part of broader communal and ethnic tensions worsened by weak governance and insufficient security responses. The mention of states like Plateau, Benue, and Kaduna brings to mind repeated episodes of violence affecting vulnerable populations, many of whom identify as Christian. This has fueled debates over whether the conflict should be classified as banditry, insurgency, or genocide. Having observed similar crises worldwide, it is clear that transparency and accountability are crucial in addressing such issues. Reports like those from the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD) play an important role in shining a light on abuses and urging reforms. The disclosure of alleged bribery attempts to alter such findings highlights the challenges faced by activists and investigative leaders seeking justice. Additionally, international and local advocacy efforts have emphasized the importance of protecting minority communities and reforming defense leadership that may be compromised. The calls for President Bola Tinubu to review security leadership aim at restoring trust and improving the government's ability to respond effectively. Understanding the security and political complexities behind these allegations fosters a more informed perspective on Nigeria's current struggles. For those interested in humanitarian issues or African politics, staying updated with credible investigations and firsthand accounts is essential to grasp the evolving dynamics and support efforts toward peaceful resolutions.