Documents from the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) show that a coalition of pro-Biafra groups is behind the campaign alleging a “Christian g+nocide in Nigeria,” a narrative that helped prompt former U.S. President Donald Trump to label Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern.
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz recently accused the Nigerian government of enabling a “massacre” of Christians, saying in a video on X: “There is no country on earth where Christians are more p+rsecuted than Nigeria.” He claimed Boko Haram and extremist groups have k+lled over 50,000 Christians since 2009 and d%stroyed more than 20,000 churches and schools.
DoJ filings under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) link the campaign to the United States of Biafra, which includes the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE). The filings show that BRGIE’s U.S. representative, Moran Global Strategies, led by former Congressman Jim Moran, has established ties with Cruz’s office.
Documents reviewed by The Guardian reveal that BRGIE members signed a declaration in Lahti, Finland, on December 2, 2024, claiming Nigeria is carrying out a “g+nocidal onsl@ught” against Biafrans and Christians. Signatories include diaspora figure Simon Ekpa—now jailed in Finland for t%rrorism-related offences—Dr Ngozi Orabueze, and Diane Emeh.
While the movement pushes Biafra’s secession, its messaging is tailored to American conservative audiences, arguing that supporting Biafra would counter China’s influence and protect Christians “under siege.” The filings outline organised activities such as fundraising, political statements and diaspora mobilisation.
The documents also mention an internal vote held between February and November 2024, after which the group declared the “Restored Independence of the United States of Biafra,” claiming authority over “40 states.”
Security analysts warn that framing separatist advocacy as evidence of g+nocide could inflame ethnic tensions and distort international perceptions.
Former Foreign Affairs Minister Bolaji Akinyemi has also cautioned that such claims may harm Nigeria’s global reputation.
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