.As UN-WCD blames increasing terrorists’ attacks on security breaches, leakage of intelligence
.Gen Braimah, others buried in Maiduguri
Cyril Mbah, Abuja with agency reports
The United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD), has renewed its calls for the redeployment of the Minister of State, Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, stating that the recent surge in attacks from terrorists, especially in northeast and northwest, shows that clasified security secrets were deliberately being compromised by insiders and leaked to enemies of the nation.
The UN-WCD made the latest demand through its Supreme Council Chairwoman, State Representative Kimberly Daniels, who released a comprehensive assessment report on Nigeria’s worsening security crisis and its link to attacks on Christian communities in Abuja on Wednesday.
The report has formally been forwarded to the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio for review and necessary official advice.
The document focused especially on the brutal surge in violence during the 2026 Easter period, where religious congregations were specifically targeted during Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday services in Plateau, Kaduna, and Nasarawa States leading to the death of dozens of Christians in the attacks.
It stated that while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemned the killings, the report noted that local leaders and survivors described a growing disconnection between government rhetoric and the reality of safety on the ground, noting that communities are already exhausted with political statements and are demanding “real action.”
After reviewing the findings, Representative Daniels and the UN-WCD board expressed grave concern about the dangers involved in retaining Bello Matawalle as Minister of State for Defence.
The assessment highlighted what it called “red flags” under his leadership.
Among the concerns raised are credibility and integrity issues, citing serious allegations of complicity with bandits during Matawalle’s tenure as Governor of Zamfara State.
The report also referenced on-the-ground testimonies about the alleged harbouring of bandit leaders and facilitation of ransom payments under Matawalle’s administration.
The UN-WCD further points to strategic inconsistency, arguing that a lack of relevant security experience undermines professional military leadership and erodes public and international trust.
Daniels said the recent attacks are “allegedly protected by leadership from the inside” and described the situation as the most devastating form of terrorism.
Based on the findings, the UN-WCD issued direct call-for-action recommendations to the Government of Nigeria, urging President Tinubu to “look inward” and remove elements that compromise national security, starting with the immediate removal or redeployment of Minister Matawalle to restore the integrity of the defence ministry.
The UN-WCD also called for institutional transparency through a full investigation into allegations of high-level complicity with banditry, and for enhanced protection measures for vulnerable communities in the North-Central and Northwestern regions.
It called on the U.S. Government and international partners to increase diplomatic pressure to ensure those accused of aiding terrorism are held accountable.
Nigeria remains designated as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by the U.S., a status the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has recommended since 2009.
In her statement, Daniels said, “My connection to Nigeria as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Chairwoman of the UN-WCD would not allow me to be silent.
My brothers and sisters in Nigeria are being martyred because they gather to worship Jesus,” adding that publishing the report was “the least thing I can do.”
The UN-WCD assessment comes as House Resolution 761, sponsored by Daniels and Plakon, condemned the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and supports the redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
The resolution received 100% bipartisan support in the Florida House during the 2026 session.
The report examines the strategic implications of current Nigerian security leadership following a series of brutal attacks during the 2026 Easter period that left dozens of Christians dead in Plateau, Kaduna, and Nasarawa states.
“The greatest form of terrorism a person can experience is terror that comes from ‘homegrown familiar enemies.
“When the people you trust to protect you work undercover with others who want to harm you, it must be devastating!
My brothers and sisters in Nigeria are martyred because they gather to worship Jesus, while most Americans do not understand how precious our religious liberty is and the protections that come with it,” Rep. Daniel concluded.
Meanwhile, The Nigerian military on Wednesday, held a solemn ceremony, as it laid to rest Late Brigadier General Omo Braimah, Captain Ismail, and other soldiers who were killed in an attack at Benisheikh, Borno State by Boko Haram terrorists last week.
The burial which held at the Maimalari Cantonment Cemetery in Maiduguri, Borno State, saw the fallen heroes accorded full military honours in recognition of their selfless service and unwavering commitment to the defence of the nation.
The ceremony had in attendance, the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, the Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff and other senior military officers.
In their tributes, the Governor, the Minister of Defence, the CDS, and the COAS described the fallen soldiers as true patriots who stood firm in the face of danger and made the ultimate sacrifice so that others might live in safety.
They noted that their bravery and sense of duty will continue to inspire generations and remain etched in the nation’s history.
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