APC USA Leader Calls for Stronger US–Nigeria Security Cooperation, Warns Against Sanctions

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the United States, Prof. Tai Balofin, has urged American lawmakers to deepen security cooperation with Nigeria instead of turning to punitive measures over concerns about religious freedom and insecurity.

Balofin, who testified before the US House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, argued that Washington’s approach should prioritise collaboration, intelligence sharing, and support for ongoing reforms rather than sanctions that could hamper counter-terrorism gains.

His presentation examined the evolving nature of violence across Nigeria, stressing that the country’s biggest threat has shifted from ideological insurgency to widespread criminality driven by armed bandit networks. He noted that both Muslim and Christian communities have suffered significant casualties, with northern states bearing the brunt of mass abductions and rural attacks.

Balofin highlighted recent data showing that a majority of this year’s kidnapping incidents occurred in predominantly Muslim regions, underscoring what he described as the “multi-layered and non-sectarian” nature of Nigeria’s insecurity. According to him, selective or oversimplified narratives risk distorting the situation and fuelling political manipulation ahead of the 2027 elections.

He also defended the Nigerian government’s response, pointing to expanded military deployments, improved air operations supported by US-supplied aircraft, and targeted missions that have disrupted several criminal networks. These combined efforts, he said, have contributed to a measurable reduction in communal violence-related fatalities.

Balofin cautioned that punitive actions by the US could undermine progress, weaken bilateral security frameworks, and embolden criminal actors who exploit political tension. Instead, he proposed the creation of a joint security and religious freedom working group, renewed US-supported peacebuilding programmes, and a shared victims’ support fund to assist affected communities.

He affirmed the APC’s commitment to open engagement with US policymakers, stating that strong, transparent cooperation remains essential to protecting vulnerable populations and stabilising conflict-prone regions.