New documents obtained from the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) reveal that a coalition of pro-Biafra separatist groups is actively orchestrating the controversial “Christian genocide in Nigeria” campaign within the U.S. political sphere. This diaspora-driven advocacy effort is viewed as a major factor that contributed to President Donald Trump’s decision to declare Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
The campaign has found influential support, notably from U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, who recently accused the Nigerian Federal Government of enabling a “massacre” against the Christian population. In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), Cruz dramatically stated, “There is no country on earth where Christians are more persecuted than Nigeria.” He claimed that Boko Haram and radical Islamic extremists have murdered over 50,000 Christians since 2009 and destroyed more than 20,000 churches and schools.
The Foreign Agents Behind the Narrative
The documents submitted under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) explicitly link the campaign to an entity known as the United States of Biafra. This group includes the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE) and the Biafra De Facto Government in the Homeland. The FARA act requires foreign political actors to register with the DoJ to ensure transparency regarding their influence efforts in the United States.
This FARA filing provides compelling evidence that diaspora-driven separatist advocacy—much of it amplified across social media platforms—is being meticulously organized, funded, and formally positioned as a foreign policy issue within the U.S.
The BRGIE’s representative, Moran Global Strategies (MGS), led by former U.S. Congressman Jim Moran, has successfully developed ties with Senator Cruz’s office. The disclosure, which was reviewed by major publications, reveals that representatives of the BRGIE and MGS signed a joint declaration in Lahti, Finland, on December 2, 2024, forcefully asserting that Nigeria is engaged in a “genocidal onslaught” against Biafrans and Christians.
Signatories on the document include self identified Biafrans in the diaspora, notably Simon Ekpa, a Finnish citizen listed as the group’s “prime minister.” Ekpa has since faced serious legal consequences in Finland, having been jailed for six years on multiple charges, including participation in the activities of a terrorist organization, incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes, aggravated tax fraud, and violations of the Lawyers Act. Other signatories listed are Dr. Ngozi Orabueze, a U.S. citizen and the group’s Deputy Prime Minister, and Diane Emeh, a U.S. citizen and Secretary of Finance and Investments.
Tailoring Secession for American Politics
While the ultimate goal of these groups is secession from Nigeria, the FARA filings reveal that their messaging is specifically tailored for American political audiences. The arguments are carefully crafted to resonate with conservative groups and individuals aligned with President Donald Trump, suggesting that supporting Biafra would counter China’s influence in Africa and protect Christians allegedly “under siege.”
The documents detail the group’s “services,” which include leadership of Biafran citizens in the Diaspora, fundraising, humanitarian assistance, appointments, and “pronouncements and rules.” The filings clearly indicate a structured attempt to build political legitimacy abroad rather than focus solely on internal mobilization within Nigeria.
The FARA submission also includes a lengthy ideological statement detailing the group’s grievances, citing historical violence, political exclusion, and cultural conflict in Nigeria—a narrative that security analysts warn can heighten ethnic tensions and distort international perceptions with unverified claims.
In a dramatic assertion contained in the document, the movement claimed to have held an internal vote from February 1 to November 28, 2024, after which it “declares the Restoration of the Independence of the United States of Biafra,” claiming control over “40 confederating states.” The declaration named the jailed Simon Ekpa as the coordinator of the transition government.
Security experts, including former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, have warned on Channels TV that such unsubstantiated charges of genocide can seriously damage the country’s global reputation and diplomatic ties with key partners like the U.S.
