US Humanitarian Worker Denies Inciting Violence in Nigeria, Advocates Self-Defense

Alex Barbir, a humanitarian worker operating in Nigeria, has vehemently refuted claims linking his presence and advocacy to the escalating violence in Plateau and Benue states. In a TVC News interview, Barbir clarified that his mission is strictly focused on protecting vulnerable communities and supporting reconstruction efforts, not inciting conflict.

“

I have never once called for anybody to be murdered. I have called for people to be protected.

Barbir asserted that his rhetoric has been consistently misinterpreted, emphasizing that he has never called for violence but rather for self-protection when authorities fail to ensure safety. "If the government is failing to protect you, you should protect yourselves from people who would take your life. There’s nothing wrong with that," he stated, highlighting the dire security situation in the affected regions.

“

If the government is failing to protect you, you should protect yourselves from people who would take your life. There’s nothing wrong with that.

He further dismissed allegations of promoting foreign or political interests, challenging critics to present evidence and noting that his work is sustained by charitable donations and humanitarian organizations. Barbir’s initiatives, such as Building Zion and Equipping the Persecuted, focus on rebuilding homes, schools, and places of worship in communities ravaged by conflict.

“

They had killed two people before I arrived. So it’s a false narrative to say my presence caused that.

From a Nigerian perspective, Barbir's presence and statements highlight the complex dynamics of foreign intervention and local security challenges. While his intentions may be to assist, the perception of external influence, particularly concerning security and self-defense, often sparks debate. His defense of self-protection resonates with communities feeling abandoned by state security apparatus, yet it also raises questions about the potential for such rhetoric to exacerbate existing tensions. The narrative surrounding Barbir underscores the deep-seated insecurity and the search for solutions, whether internal or external, that plague parts of the country.

“

The violence in the region is longstanding, and cycles of attacks and reprisals predate my involvement.