US – Advent Cable Network Nigeria

US Report Raises Alarm Over 30,000 Armed Militants in Nigeria

ACNN NEWS — Thu, 28 May 2026 08:44:02 +0000

A report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has alleged that about 30,000 armed militants are currently operating across Nigeria, contributing significantly to insecurity and religious freedom violations in several parts of the country.

The report, released in May 2026 and titled “Nonstate Violators of Religious Freedom in Nigeria: Fulani Militants,” stated that the armed groups, operating in clusters ranging from 10 to 1,000 members, have become some of the deadliest non-state actors in Nigeria.

According to USCIRF, the activities of the militants have intensified insecurity across the Middle Belt and Southern regions, resulting in killings, displacement of communities and heightened religious tensions.

“Violence by militants caused the highest number of deaths among all religious communities in Nigeria over the last year as compared to attacks by organised insurgent groups and criminal gangs,” the report stated.

The commission noted that although many attacks targeted Christian communities, Muslim communities have also suffered killings, kidnappings and raids.

USCIRF explained that while the militant groups do not operate under a central leadership structure, some occasionally collaborate with criminal gangs and extremist organisations.

“These actors operate in a variety of contexts and with a multiplicity of likely aims and motivations,” the report stated.

The commission added that the militants often attack isolated rural communities at night, using motorcycles, machetes and automatic weapons to create fear and force residents to flee.

According to the report, at least 1.3 million people have been displaced in the Middle Belt due to the violence, with many victims now living in overcrowded camps lacking adequate security and sanitation.

USCIRF cited several incidents from 2025 and early 2026, including attacks in Benue and Plateau states that reportedly claimed hundreds of lives.

“One attack in Benue in June 2025 killed at least 200 people, including internally displaced persons living in a Catholic mission,” the report noted.

The commission also referenced the Yelwata attack in Benue State, where more than 200 Christians were reportedly killed and over 3,000 displaced.

According to USCIRF, some attacks were deliberately carried out during Christian religious celebrations such as Christmas, Easter and Palm Sunday to increase psychological impact on victims.

The report further detailed incidents in Niger, Kaduna and Plateau states involving killings, kidnappings and attacks on places of worship.

USCIRF stated that differing interpretations of the violence have complicated efforts to identify the exact motivations behind the attacks.

“Some observers have argued that environmental and economic factors are the driving force behind militants’ acts of violence, while others have suggested that these actors are engaged in a concerted campaign of outright genocide against non-Muslims, especially Christians,” the commission stated.

The report criticised both federal and state authorities for allegedly failing to respond effectively to the violence, noting complaints from victims that security agencies are often slow to react during attacks.

USCIRF also mentioned allegations by some Christian groups accusing security agencies of favouritism during investigations and security operations, although no official response was included in the report.

The commission noted that some state governments launched initiatives in 2025 to establish ranches for herders as part of efforts to reduce conflicts over grazing routes and farmland.

At the federal level, USCIRF linked recent government actions to the October 2025 decision by former US President Donald Trump to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over religious freedom violations.

According to the report, President Bola Tinubu subsequently classified kidnappers and violent armed groups, including Fulani militants, as terrorists in December 2025.

USCIRF also referenced security operations in January 2026 during which security agencies reportedly rescued over 300 hostages and arrested suspected militants in Kogi and Kwara states.

The report further highlighted growing international scrutiny of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), which has faced allegations from some Christian leaders over militant violence and land invasions.

However, MACBAN denied supporting criminal activities.

“We do not support, condone, harbour, finance, or protect any form of criminality, extremism or violence,” the association stated, according to the report.

Despite recent security interventions and peace initiatives, USCIRF warned that insecurity remains widespread across central Nigeria.

“As a result, central Nigeria remains entrenched in an intense, daily, and seemingly perpetual crisis of insecurity,” the report concluded.

CHANNELS

FULL LIST: Over 20 Nigerians, Boko Haram, Ansaru on US Sanctions List

ACNN NEWS — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:18:44 +0000

The United States government has frozen the assets and properties of several Nigerians accused of having links with extremist groups including Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

The sanctions was detailed in a 3,000-page document released on February 10 by the United States Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
According to the documents, more than 20 Nigerians and organisations were listed under various sanctions programmes, including terrorism- related and cybercrime regulations.

The sanction means all property and interests of these individuals and entities within US jurisdiction are blocked under Executive Order 13224, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.

Nigerians Currently Sanctioned by the US
Khalid al‑Barnawi 

Also known as: AL-BARNAWI, Khaled; BARNAWI, Khalid; EL-BARNAOUI, Khaled; HAFSAT, Abu; USMAN, Mohammed Date of birth: 1976 Place of birth: Maiduguri, Nigeria Offence/Program: Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) — linked to Boko Haram/terrorism
Abubakar Shekau 

Also known as: BIN MOHAMMED, Abu Mohammed Abubakar; BI MUHAMMED, Abu Muhammed Abubakar; SHEHU; SHAYKU; SHEKAU Date of birth: 1969 Place of birth: Shekau Village, Yobe State, Nigeria Offence/Program: SDGT — leader associated with Boko Haram
Abu Musab al‑Barnawi

Also known as: YUSUF, Habib Date of birth: 1991 (multiple alternate DOBs listed by OFAC) Place of birth: Nigeria Offence/Program: SDGT — Boko Haram affiliate/leader
Abu Bakr al‑Mainuki 

Also known as: AL-MINUKI, Abu-Bilal; MAINOK, Abor; MAINOK, Abubakar Date of birth: 1982 Place of birth: Mainok, Benisheikh, Borno State, Nigeria
Offence/Program: SDGT — linked to ISIL
Salihu Yusuf Adamu 

Also known as: ADAMU, Salih Yusuf Date of birth: 23 Aug 1990 Place of birth: Nigeria; current location: Abu Dhabi Offence/Program: SDGT — linked to Boko Haram

Surajo Abubakar Muhammad 

Also known as: MUHAMMAD, Surajo Abu Bakr Date of birth: 3 Jul 1979 Place of birth: Nigeria; current location: Abu Dhabi Offence/Program: SDGT — linked to Boko Haram
Offence/Program: SDGT — linked to ISIL

Salihu Yusuf Adamu 

Also known as: ADAMU, Salih Yusuf Date of birth: 23 Aug 1990 Place of birth: Nigeria; current location: Abu Dhabi Offence/Program: SDGT — linked to Boko Haram
Surajo Abubakar Muhammad 

Also known as: MUHAMMAD, Surajo Abu Bakr Date of birth: 3 Jul 1979 Place of birth: Nigeria; current location: Abu Dhabi Offence/Program: SDGT — linked to Boko Haram

Abdurrahman Ado Musa

 Also known as: MUSA, Abdurrahman Ado Date of birth: 23 Apr 1984 Place of birth: Nigeria Offence/Program: SDGT — linked to Boko Haram
Bashir Ali Yusuf Date of birth: 7 Aug 1984 Place of birth: Nigeria Offence/Program: SDGT — linked to Boko Haram

Ibrahim Ali Alhassan
Date of birth: 31 Jan 1981
Place of birth: Nigeria; current location: Abu Dhabi
Offence/Program: SDGT — linked to Boko Haram

Nnamdi Orson Benson

 Date of birth: 21 Mar 1987 Place of birth: Nigeria Offence/Program: OFAC cyber designation (CYBER2)
Abiola Ayorinde Kayode
 Date of birth: 14 Nov 1987 Place of birth: Nigeria Offence/Program: OFAC cyber designation (CYBER2)
Alex Afolabi Ogunshakin

 Date of birth: 23 Feb 1983 Place of birth: Nigeria Offence/Program: OFAC cyber designation (CYBER2)
Felix Osilama Okpoh

 Date of birth: 9 Mar 1989 Place of birth: Nigeria Offence/Program: OFAC cyber designation (CYBER2)
Micheal Olorunyomi 

Date of birth: 12 May 1983 Place of birth: Nigeria Offence/Program: OFAC cyber designation (CYBER2)
Richard Izuchukwu Uzuh

 Date of birth: 29 Apr 1986 Place of birth: Nigeria Offence/Program: OFAC cyber designation (CYBER2)
Ali Abbas Usman Jega

 Also known as: JEGA, Ali Abbas Usman; HASSAN, Ali Abbas Othman; JEGA, Abbas Date of birth: 1965 Address: Abuja, Nigeria Offence/Program: SDGT
Abeni O. Ogungbuyi 

Also known as: BABESTAN, Abeni O.; SHOFESO, Olatutu Temitope Date of birth: 30 Jun 1952 Place of birth: Nigeria Offence/Program: SDNTK
Organisations Currently Sanctioned by the US (Nigeria-Based)
Boko Haram 

Also known as: JAMA’ATU AHLIS-SUNNAH LIDDA’AWATI WAL-JIHAD; Nigerian Taliban Offence/Program: Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and SDGT — terrorism
Ansaru Also known as: ANSARUL MUSLIMINA FI BILADIS SUDAN; Vanguards for the Protection of Muslims in Black Africa Offence/Program: FTO and SDGT — terrorism

Amigo Supermarket Limited, Kafak Enterprises Limited, Wonderland Amusement Park and Resort LtdProgram: SDGT — linked to individuals designated by OFAC

Organisations with alleged Nigerian affiliations:

Aurum Ship Management FZC Program: SDGT — linked to designated individuals

ISIS-West Africa (ISIS-WA) Program: FTO and SDGT — terrorism

Jammal Trust Bank S.A.L. Program: SDGT — linked to Hizballah

According to OFAC, the list serves as a reference tool, providing notice of actions taken against Specially Designated Nationals, whose property and interests are blocked as part of its counter-terrorism efforts.
“This publication of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, OFAC, is designed as a reference tool providing actual notice of actions by OFAC with respect to Specially Designated Nationals and other persons (which term includes both individuals and entities) whose property is blocked, to assist the public in complying with the various sanctions programmes administered by OFAC,” the agency said.
The inclusion of these names in the OFAC list underscores Washington’s continued focus on countering terrorism financing and cyber threats.
The pronouncement comes on the heels of recent recommendations by the US Congress for visa bans and asset freezes on persons and groups accused of violations of religious freedom and persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
The former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso; the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria; and Miyetti Allah Kautal were recommended by United States lawmakers for visa bans and asset freezes.
In October 2025, for the second time, US President Donald Trump announced that Nigeria would be added to the Department of State’s “Countries of Particular Concern” list for religious freedom, alleging persecution of Christians by Muslims. Nigeria was first designated in 2020 under Trump but was removed by President Joe Biden shortly after assuming office.

Source: Punch

US Praises South Africa’s Detection Of New COVID-19 Strain

ACNN NEWS — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 11:32:05 +0000

South Africa on Saturday was praised by the United States for quickly identifying the new Covid strain called Omicron and sharing this information with the world.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with South Africa’s international relations and cooperation minister, Naledi Pandor, and they discussed cooperation on vaccinating people in Africa against Covid-19, the State Department said.

“Secretary Blinken specifically praised South Africa’s scientists for the quick identification of the Omicron variant and South Africa’s government for its transparency in sharing this information, which should serve as a model for the world,” the statement said.

First under Donald Trump and now under President Joe Biden, the United States has repeatedly criticized China for not being forthcoming on the origins of the coronavirus, which was first detected in December 2019 in the Chinese city of Wuhan before spreading around the world. It has now killed nearly 5.2 million people.

In August of this year, the US intelligence community released a report in which it said it could not reach a firm conclusion on the origins of the virus — among animals or in a research lab were top scenarios — because China had not helped in the US probe.

The US has also accused Beijing of waiting too long before sharing crucial information about the outbreak, saying that more transparent handling could have helped halt the spread of the virus.

After the US report was issued this summer, Biden accused Beijing of stonewalling.

“The world deserves answers, and I will not rest until we get them,” Biden said in a statement after that unclassified report came out.

“Responsible nations do not shirk these kinds of responsibilities to the rest of the world.”

The pandemic is one of many sources of acute tension today in US-China relations, as the two great powers clash over trade, human rights, and the prickly issue of Taiwan, among other matters.

AFP

UK, US, EU Envoys Insist Nigeria Must Protect Freedom Of Expression On The Tweeter Ban

ACNN ADMIN — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 11:19:53 +0000

The envoys of the United States, United Kingdom and the European Union in Nigeria among others, have insisted that the Federal Government’s suspension of Twitter, is a violation of the fundamental human right of freedom of expression.

The envoys who met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, in Abuja on Monday, urged the government to protect freedom of expression.

US ambassador to Nigeria, Mary-Beth Leonards, who spoke on behalf of others said they were delighted to see Nigeria succeed, and that all challenges have solutions.

“We are here as partners who want to see Nigeria succeed. We want to see this place unified, peaceful and prosperous and that’s how all of our activities are arranged. I think we have to be very clear that we are Nigeria’s strong partners on issues of security and we recognise the daunting times and the array of security challenges that confront Nigeria.

“While they are daunting, they are not insurmountable and part of the way to surmount them is through partnership of the people you see represented here,” Leonards said.

Mary-Beth Leonards

“Not only in physical security but in terms of expanding opportunities and promoting mediation and dialogue; this is all very important and we look forward to continuing that partnership and continuing our conversation around important issues like media freedom.

“We re-affirm our position that free access to the ability to express oneself is actually very important and perhaps more important in troubled times.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government says it would restore Twitter operations in Nigeria if the platform would be used responsibly by the citizens.

While highlighting that the responsibility of the government is to protect law, order, and human lives, Onyeama made it clear that there is no definite time for lifting the ban.

“The condition would be a responsible use of the social media and that really has to be it.”

“We are not saying that Twitter is threatening the country or any such thing; why we have taken this measure is to stop them to be used as platforms for destabilization and facilitation of criminality or encouragement of criminalities,” Onyeama stated.

Source: Channels tv

US Says The Lives Of Journalists’ Are Under Threat In Nigeria

ACNN ADMIN — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 08:34:12 +0000

The United States of America has called for the protection of the lives of journalists in Nigeria, saying that threats to journalists have been alarming.

The US Consulate General Public Affairs Officer, Stephen Ibelli, said this while speaking through a Zoom meeting in Uyo during a media workshop on Investigative Health Care Reporting organised by the International Press Centre for journalists in the South-South in collaboration with the US Consulate.

He stated that journalists in the country were working under unfavourable conditions.

He said the US Consulate was ready and willing to support and promote investigative health reports, adding that it had been involved in the promotion and sponsorship of health programmes across the country like USAID.

Ibelli said, “I appreciate International Press Centre for partnering with us. Your presence is an indication of your strong interest to report things on the health sector.

“Nigeria is facing a lot of challenges in the health sector. Since 2003, we have invested over N6bn in fighting HIV/AIDs. I hope the seminar will help you tell the story better.

“Many people look to the media to help tell the story. We will continue to work on the improvement of the training, welfare of journalists and how to combat misinformation. We are particularly concerned about the protection of journalists, and their safety in reporting.”

Source: Punch