Reported by Afilawos Magana Sur, Managing Editor | Journalist at Sele Media Africa.

A Nigerian cleric and community leader, Rev. Dachomo, has alleged that a security intervention he sought from former United States President Donald Trump to help curb escalating violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt was diverted by Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to the country’s northwestern region, leaving several vulnerable states exposed to continued attacks. Speaking during a public address and in subsequent media interviews, Rev. Dachomo claimed that he had reached out to Trump and other international stakeholders in a bid to attract global attention and assistance to the worsening security crisis affecting communities in Nigeria’s central region. According to him, the original request focused on strengthening security support for communities in the states of Plateau State, Benue State, and Kwara State—areas that have experienced recurring violence linked to armed groups, banditry, and farmer–herder conflicts. However, the cleric alleged that the proposed assistance was instead redirected toward operations in Sokoto State after intervention by the National Security Adviser.
Allegations of Redirected Security Support
Rev. Dachomo claimed that the security arrangement initially sought was intended to reinforce protection for rural farming communities that have faced repeated attacks over the years. These communities, particularly in Plateau and Benue, have frequently reported killings, displacement, and destruction of farmland—developments that have deepened humanitarian concerns and disrupted agricultural livelihoods across the Middle Belt. According to Dachomo, the decision to prioritize operations elsewhere left already fragile communities in Plateau, Benue, and Kwara without the expected security reinforcement. “We made appeals to international partners to draw attention to what our people are facing,” he said during remarks circulated online. “But the support that should have helped protect vulnerable communities in the Middle Belt was diverted, leaving those regions open to continued attacks. ”His claims have sparked debate across Nigeria’s political and security landscape, with commentators calling for clarity on the nature of any foreign security collaboration and how such decisions are coordinated within the country’s national security framework. Security challenges across Nigeria, Nigeria continues to face complex security threats across multiple regions. In the northwest, states such as Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina have been battling armed bandit groups responsible for kidnappings, village raids, and mass displacement. Meanwhile, central states including Plateau and Benue remain flashpoints for violent clashes often linked to land disputes, ethnic tensions, and competition over resources between farming communities and nomadic herders. Analysts say the convergence of these conflicts has made the Middle Belt one of the country’s most volatile regions. Security experts note that Nigeria’s federal government retains exclusive authority over foreign military cooperation and strategic security partnerships. As such, any deployment of foreign troops or advisers would typically require coordination through federal authorities and established diplomatic channels. Calls for transparency and coordinated security response Rev. Dachomo’s comments have intensified calls from civil society organizations and community leaders for greater transparency in Nigeria’s security decision-making processes. Advocates argue that communities facing persistent violence deserve clear explanations regarding the allocation of security resources and the priorities guiding national operations.
Political analysts also warn that competing narratives surrounding security interventions could further deepen mistrust among communities already traumatized by years of conflict. So far, there has been no official confirmation from Nigeria’s national security authorities regarding the specific claims made by the cleric about foreign troop deployment or the alleged redirection of assistance.
However, observers say the controversy highlights a broader challenge confronting Nigeria’s security architecture: balancing responses to multiple crises simultaneously across different regions of the country.
Broader implications for regional stability the Middle Belt’s security situation remains a key concern for policymakers, humanitarian groups, and international observers. Repeated attacks in farming communities have displaced thousands of residents and contributed to food security concerns in a region often described as Nigeria’s agricultural heartland. Experts argue that lasting stability will require not only military responses but also long-term political dialogue, community reconciliation efforts, and stronger early-warning systems to prevent further violence. For many affected communities, however, the immediate priority remains improved security presence and protection for rural populations who continue to live under the threat of attack. As discussions around Rev. Dachomo’s allegations continue, the episode underscores the urgent need for coordinated security strategies capable of addressing Nigeria’s overlapping conflicts while restoring public confidence in national institutions. Sources:
Punch Newspaper, Premium Times, Daily Trust, Channels Television, BBC News.

Afilawos Magana Sur

Afilawos Magana Sur is a journalist from Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, currently based in Bauchi metropolis. He is known for his commitment to accurate, ethical, and responsible journalism, with a focus on reporting issues of public relevance and community development.

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