Kimberly Daniels, a member of the Florida House of Representatives and Chairwoman of the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD), made the allegation during a Facebook Live broadcast.
A fresh controversy has emerged over Nigeria’s security situation after United States legislator Kimberly Daniels accused the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, of attempting to suppress international scrutiny of ongoing killings in parts of the country.
Kimberly Daniels, a member of the Florida House of Representatives and Chairwoman of the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD), made the allegation during a Facebook Live broadcast.
She claimed that following her recent comments on what she described as targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria, she faced pressure from individuals she linked to Bello Matawalle.
Daniels alleged that these individuals attempted to discredit her report and influence US-based elected officials in favour of Nigeria’s defence leadership.
She further stated that an unnamed American lawmaker was allegedly persuaded to publicly counter her position and defend Nigeria’s security authorities.
Daniels also claimed she received materials, including a prepared statement and promotional content, which she said were linked to the minister and aimed at dividing American lawmakers.
She maintained that the effort “did not succeed,” adding that US legislators remained united on the issue.
The Florida lawmaker insisted she was speaking on behalf of affected communities and those she said were experiencing attacks, stressing that her intervention was a call for investigation rather than a direct accusation.
The controversy followed a report released by Daniels on 14 April 2026 in her capacity as head of the UN-WCD.
The report raised concerns over escalating violence in Nigeria’s North Central and North West regions, citing attacks during the Easter period in states such as Plateau, Kaduna and Nasarawa.
It also highlighted what it described as a widening gap between government assurances and the realities on the ground.
The document questioned the leadership of the defence ministry under Bello Matawalle, citing what it described as concerns over credibility and integrity.
It recommended a review of Nigeria’s security leadership and called on President Bola Tinubu to consider a possible redeployment of the minister, alongside an independent investigation into the allegations.
Daniels said her position was based on testimonies from affected communities, members of the Nigerian diaspora, and findings from the UN-WCD network spanning the United States, Nigeria, Ghana, the United Kingdom and Canada.
Kimberly Daniels has maintained that her comments are aimed at drawing attention to human rights concerns and encouraging further international inquiry.
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