Agency Report
American humanitarian and missionary, Alex Barbir has left Nigeria, days after a former presidential aide publicly claimed authorities had ordered his departure over alleged incitement of religious tensions.
Barbir, founder of the nonprofit Building Zion, rose to prominence in Nigerian public discourse through his on-the-ground humanitarian work in the Middle Belt, particularly Benue and Plateau states.
He has helped rebuild dozens of homes destroyed in attacks on predominantly Christian farming communities, including efforts in Yelewata, Benue State, following massacres attributed to Fulani herdsmen.
In recent weeks, he drew widespread attention for documenting and speaking out against violence in Plateau State, including the Palm Sunday attacks in Jos that killed at least a dozen worshippers.
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On April 1, 2026, former presidential media aide Bashir Ahmad posted on X (formerly Twitter) that a “reliable source” informed him Barbir, whom he labeled a “hate monger”, had been directed by authorities to leave the country immediately.
Ahmad accused the U.S. national of attempting to “ignite religious tensions” in North-Central communities visited during his aid work.
Barbir initially pushed back against the claims in public statements and videos, rejecting any notion that he had been formally ordered out and continuing to highlight what he described as systematic violence against Christians. However, by April 2, reports emerged that he had departed.
He was reportedly sighted at an airport with luggage, and social media posts attributed to him confirmed his exit. In one widely circulated message, Barbir appeared to respond sarcastically to his critics, stating that with his departure, Nigeria should now see peace with no further killings, kidnappings, or attacks.
Social media users and commentators reacted quickly. Posts on April 3 referenced his confirmed exit on a scheduled flight, with Barbir sharing details of his original ticket. One post noted: “Now that Alex Barbir has left we are expecting to see a peaceful Nigeria! No killing, kidnapping, burning…” Bashir Ahmad later reacted to the news, describing the departure as “good riddance” and reiterating that Barbir had been ordered out.
No official statement has been issued by the Nigerian government, the Presidency, the Immigration Service, or any federal agency confirming an expulsion order or deportation proceedings. Nigerian authorities have not publicly commented on Barbir’s activities or presence in the country.
Barbir, a former college athlete from Georgia, has made multiple trips to Nigeria in recent years focused on reconstruction and advocacy for displaced persons.
His organization has partnered with other Christian aid groups to rebuild homes and support internally displaced people following attacks that have claimed hundreds of lives since 2025.
