Fresh concerns over Nigeria’s internal security and social cohesion have emerged following allegations that a foreign national may be contributing to rising religious tensions in parts of the country, prompting urgent calls for investigation and accountability.
The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) has sounded the alarm, urging authorities to probe the activities of an American identified as Alex Barbir, also known as Eyal Yakoby. In a statement the group described his alleged actions in Plateau State and Benue State as a potential threat to national peace and stability.
According to MPAC, the individual is reportedly linked to Academi, a private military contractor, and has been operating in Nigeria under the cover of humanitarian work. The group claims his engagements with internally displaced persons have been accompanied by rhetoric capable of deepening existing religious divides.
The statement alleges that his remarks have fueled hostility between Christian and Muslim communities, while also amplifying anti-Fulani sentiments in regions already grappling with fragile intercommunal relations.
Security analysts note that Plateau and Benue states have long been flashpoints for ethno-religious tensions, making any perceived external influence particularly sensitive.
One of the most contentious aspects of the allegations is the claim that the foreign national has been moving with police escorts.
MPAC questioned how such protection could be granted amid accusations of divisive conduct, warning that any perception of official backing could further inflame public distrust.
The organization has called on the Nigeria Police Force to clarify its role, if any, and to investigate officers who may have facilitated such movements.
MPAC also pointed to a reported timeline connecting the individual’s presence in Jos with subsequent violence in Rukuba, where lives were lost. The group insists that the sequence of events raises red flags that cannot be ignored.
Experts caution that while correlation does not equal causation, the volatile nature of such regions requires heightened vigilance and rapid response to any potential triggers.
The group is urging a coordinated response from key security and government institutions. It specifically called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to detain and investigate the individual, focusing on his affiliations and mission in Nigeria.
It also asked the Nigerian Immigration Service to review the legality of his entry and stay, while appealing to the Office of the National Security Adviser to treat the issue as a national security priority.
“If found culpable, he should face prosecution, deportation, and blacklisting,” the statement said.
Beyond the immediate allegations, the situation highlights broader concerns about foreign involvement in domestic conflicts and the vulnerabilities within Nigeria’s security and immigration systems.
MPAC warned that failure to act decisively could embolden similar incidents and erode public confidence in state institutions. The group stressed that safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty requires vigilance against both internal and external threats.