Former United States Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Tibor Nagy, has slammed the Nigerian Government over alleged efforts to get the US to impose sanctions on American-based separatist leader Ogechukwu Nkere.

Nagy, writing in a recent statement on X after a conversation with Nkere, said: "Nigerians in former Biafra suffered greatly, never fully recovering from the horrendous war. Also tragic is the Nigerian government's refusal to admit there is a huge problem with targeted violence against Christians.

"The Nigerian govt. should try giving Biafrans justice, security, and good governance instead of trying to suppress their freedom of expression outside Nigeria. That would be a much better use of their funds!"

Nagy’s statement comes as Africa Intelligence, a leading news platform focused on African political and business affairs, published an article on May 25, 2026, titled "Abuja tries to get Washington to pursue Biafran independence movement leader.”

According to the article, agents of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit are seeking to persuade counterparts at the

The US Treasury Department is to impose sanctions on Ogechukwu Nkere, the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, who is based in the United States.

The report had also highlighted Mr. Nkere’s extensive engagement in Washington, DC, including the use of lobbying firms to advance awareness among Congress and the White House regarding allegations of Christian genocide in Nigeria.

The reported Nigerian effort appears aimed not only at countering Mr. Nkere’s advocacy but also at personally targeting him for his political activities in the United States.

Recall that Nkere succeeded former BRGIE Prime Minister Simon Ekpa, who is currently serving a jail term in Finland.

Reacting to the Nigerian government alleged move, Nkere, in a statement, said, "Such actions would constitute a cynical misuse of frameworks to target a legitimate self-determination and independence movement representing millions of Christians from Southeast Nigeria."

Through sustained engagement with US policymakers, Nkere has helped elevate concerns regarding Christian persecution, insecurity, and the political marginalization of Biafrans from a regional grievance into an issue of increasing relevance in Washington policy circles.

In October 2025, United States President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a country of particular concern for the persecution of Christians. Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has repeatedly downplayed the alleged religious crisis in the country.