A United States based group has accused Nigeria’s National Security Advisor Nuhu Ribadu of allegedly downplaying the scale of killings and insecurity in Nigeria during high level meetings in Washington.
The accusation was made by Dr. Von Batten-Montague-York, who claimed Ribadu gave American officials the impression that Christians in Nigeria were safe despite continuing attacks across several communities.
According to the statement shared on X, the group alleged that 13 Christians were killed by armed herdsmen during the same period Ribadu was reportedly meeting with US Vice President JD Vance.
The group further claimed that thousands of Christians have been killed, displaced, or attacked in Nigeria over the years, accusing the government of failing to stop the violence.
Von Batten also alleged that more than 8,500 Catholics have been killed, 40 Catholic priests kidnapped, and 90 Catholic churches destroyed during the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu.
In a second statement, Von Batten said he attended meetings involving allies of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and officials connected to the administration of US President Donald Trump.
He said insecurity and election integrity were major topics during the discussions, insisting that violence in Nigeria affects both Christians and Muslims.
The group accused the Nigerian government of focusing more on defending its image abroad instead of addressing insecurity and preventing further bloodshed across the country.
Von Batten maintained that Nigeria needs leadership capable of restoring peace, rebuilding trust, and uniting citizens across regional and religious divides which is Atiku.