‘Expulsion Of Alex Barbir Was In Order’

The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), Nigeria, has commended the federal government for expelling an American missionary Alex Barbir from the country.

MPAC’s executive chairman, Disu Karma, said the action was not only timely but necessary.

According to MPAC, it sent a clear and unequivocal message that Nigeria will not be a safe haven for foreign actors who exploit religious platforms to sow division, incite violence, and aggravate an already fragile security landscape.

“Evidence available in the public domain has linked Alex Barbir to inflammatory rhetoric and activities capable of worsening the volatile situation in Plateau State.

“His utterances and engagements went beyond the boundaries of religious expression and entered the dangerous territory of incitement, contributing to tensions that have tragically resulted in loss of lives”, it added.

MPAC added that, “Alex Barbir was not in Nigeria to preach the message of peace, compassion, and coexistence as exemplified by Jesus Christ (AS).

“Rather, he operated under the guise of missionary and humanitarian work while actively promoting a divisive and dangerous ideology aimed at mobilising vulnerable youths towards violence and hate-driven actions.

While acknowledging the government’s action in expelling him, it said accountability must not end there and called for a comprehensive investigation into all individuals and networks that collaborated with Alex Barbir within Nigeria.

Of particular concern, it said, was the leading role played by Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, who reportedly provided a platform for the dissemination of this dangerous rhetoric, also sharing the platform with Alex to demonise Islam and Muslims.

“Those who knowingly enabled or amplified such incitement must be treated as collaborators in actions that threaten national peace and unity”, it added.

MPAC also demanded immediate scrutiny and prosecution of any Nigerian or foreign national found to have facilitated, sponsored, or supported activities that incite violence or deepen sectarian divisions, saying that national security must not be compromised by individuals acting as agents, knowingly or otherwise, of foreign interests.