The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) has called on Nigerian authorities to urgently investigate and take action over the activities of a foreign national accused of inciting religious tensions in parts of the country.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the organization expressed “profound concern” over reports of an American identified as Alex Barbir, also known as Eyal Yakoby, whose alleged conduct in Plateau State and Benue State has been described as a threat to national peace and security.
MPAC alleged that the individual, reportedly linked to the private military firm Academi, has been operating in Nigeria under the guise of humanitarian work while making statements capable of inflaming religious divisions. The group further claimed that he has been moving with police escorts while engaging with internally displaced persons.
According to the statement, his speeches allegedly promoted hostility between Christian and Muslim communities and heightened anti-Fulani sentiment in volatile areas. MPAC warned that such actions risk worsening already fragile communal relations.
The organization also pointed to a reported connection between the individual’s presence in Jos and subsequent violence in Rukuba, which resulted in loss of lives. While no official link has been confirmed, MPAC said the sequence of events raises serious concerns that warrant investigation.
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MPAC questioned how a foreign national could allegedly operate with security protection while making divisive remarks, calling for transparency from relevant authorities. It urged the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately detain and investigate the individual, including his affiliations and activities within the country.
The group also called on the Nigeria Police Force to clarify whether its personnel provided escort services and to hold accountable any officers found complicit. Additionally, it urged the Nigerian Immigration Service to review the circumstances surrounding his entry into the country and determine whether immigration laws were violated.
MPAC further appealed to the Office of the National Security Adviser to treat the matter as a national security priority and conduct a comprehensive assessment.
“If found culpable, he should face prosecution, deportation, and blacklisting,” the statement said.
The organization warned that failure to act decisively could embolden similar actions by others and undermine public trust in national institutions.
Reaffirming its stance, MPAC emphasized that Nigeria’s sovereignty must be protected and that no foreign actor should be allowed to exploit internal divisions.
“The time to act is now—firmly, lawfully, and without fear or favour,” the statement concluded.
