The United States carried out air strikes in Nigeria using intelligence from a screwdriver trader and small NGO operator in Onitsha, Anambra State, according to a New York Times investigation.
The report identifies Emeka Umeagbalasi as the key source whose unverified claims of Christian genocide in Nigeria were cited by U.S. lawmakers.
This revelation has triggered concerns about the accuracy of the intelligence that shaped U.S. military actions and the broader narrative surrounding religious violence in Nigeria.
According to the New York Times, Umeagbalasi claimed he has documented 125,000 Christian deaths in Nigeria since 2009 using Google searches, Nigerian media reports, secondary sources, and advocacy groups such as Open Doors.
The New York Times report has brought global attention to Emeka Umeagbalasi, a trader in Onitsha who also runs a small-scale NGO. His data was cited by prominent U.S. politicians in support of claims that Christians are being systematically targeted in Nigeria.
The New York Times noted that his reports have been cited by U.S. lawmakers such as Senator Ted Cruz, Representative Riley Moore, and Representative Chris Smith — and even by former President Donald Trump to justify military actions in Nigeria.
The U.S. air strikes come amid a series of escalating actions linked to claims of Christian persecution in Nigeria.
These moves were influenced by a narrative increasingly shaped by unverified reports and politically charged claims.
The use of questionable data to justify military intervention raises serious ethical and strategic concerns.
This incident highlights the importance of credible intelligence in shaping international policy and military engagement.
Nigeria continues to face serious security challenges from various armed groups, including Islamist insurgents.
The reliance on questionable sources for military decisions may further complicate Nigeria’s security and diplomatic dynamics.