The Digest:
A report by The New York Times reveals that information from Emeka Umeagbalasi, a screwdriver trader and founder of a Nigerian civil liberties NGO, was used by U.S. lawmakers to support claims of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria. According to the report, Umeagbalasi’s estimates, which include figures such as 125,000 Christian deaths since 2009, are largely based on Google searches, media reports, and assumptions about victims’ religion based on attack locations, without field verification. Several U.S. lawmakers cited his data, which later informed President Donald Trump’s decision to authorize airstrikes in Sokoto State in December 2025.
Key Points:
- The reliance on unverified local data risks escalating international military interventions based on potentially flawed intelligence.
- It exposes how advocacy material can enter high-level policy channels without rigorous validation, affecting diplomatic relations.
- The narrative amplifies sectarian tensions within Nigeria by framing violence in exclusively religious terms.
- It demonstrates how non-state actors can indirectly shape foreign policy through lobbying and selective data dissemination.
- The case may prompt scrutiny of the vetting processes used by policymakers when sourcing information on conflict zones.
The incident raises pressing questions about due diligence in conflict reporting and the ethical responsibility of data providers in influencing military action.
Sources: The New York Times, The Cable
