The Ijaw National Congress of the Americas (INCA), representing the Ijaw Nation in North America, has called for urgent dialogue between U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as Nigeria’s Defence Minister, to address the ongoing killings of Christians in Nigeria.
INCA’s Chairman, Ebizimo Nagberi, said, “We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the killing of Christians or any religious group in Nigeria or anywhere in the world.”
Nagberi highlighted that Nigeria’s stability is crucial for global peace, warning that the unrest “poses a threat not only to Africa but to international peace and security.” He urged members of the Ijaw community in North America to reach out to their U.S. congressional representatives, especially those on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and to the Bureau of African Affairs, to push for immediate intervention.
The organisation emphasised that a private discussion between Trump, Tinubu, and Nigeria’s Defence Minister could lead to “concrete and lasting measures to end the killings,” reflecting their concern over the escalation of violence and its potential impact beyond Nigeria’s borders.
Reactions to INCA’s appeal have been mixed. While diaspora groups have praised the call for international dialogue, Nigerian officials, including Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation, dismissed claims of systematic persecution, stating that violence affects all communities and stressing that Nigeria remains a secular state committed to religious freedom.
Political analysts argue that the situation requires coordinated diplomacy, transparent reporting, and targeted interventions to address underlying causes such as insurgency, communal conflicts, and resource disputes. They note that diaspora advocacy can play a pivotal role in attracting international attention and assistance.
INCA’s call underscores the importance of external engagement in Nigeria’s security matters, highlighting how diaspora communities are increasingly influencing foreign policy discussions. The organisation continues to urge prompt action from U.S. authorities to facilitate dialogue and foster stability in Nigeria.
