Former United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Tibor Nagy, has criticised the Federal Government over what he described as efforts to target Biafran activists abroad instead of addressing insecurity, governance challenges and violence against Christians in Nigeria.

Nagy made the remarks in a post on X following a conversation with Ogechukwu Nkere, the United States-based Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE).

The former American diplomat said the Nigerian government should focus on providing justice, security and good governance to people in the South-East rather than attempting to suppress pro-Biafra voices outside the country.

“Nigerians in former Biafra suffered greatly, never fully recovering from the horrendous war. Also tragic is the Nigerian government’s refusal to admit there is a huge problem with targeted violence against Christians.

“The Nigerian government should try giving Biafrans justice, security and good governance instead of trying to suppress their freedom of expression outside Nigeria. That would be a much better use of their funds,” Nagy wrote.

His comments came amid reports alleging that Nigerian authorities are seeking action against Nkere in the United States over his activities linked to the Biafran self-determination movement.

According to a report published on May 25, 2026, by Africa Intelligence, officials of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) have been engaging counterparts in the United States in an effort aimed at persuading the US Treasury Department to impose sanctions on Nkere.

The report also highlighted Nkere’s activities in Washington, where he has reportedly retained lobbying firms and engaged policymakers in Congress and the White House to draw attention to allegations of persecution of Christians, insecurity and the treatment of Biafrans in Nigeria.

The development has fuelled claims among pro-Biafra groups that Nigerian authorities are extending their campaign against separatist leaders beyond the country’s borders..

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, was arrested in 2021 and has remained in detention while facing terrorism-related charges brought by the Federal Government.

Similarly, Nkere’s predecessor as BRGIE Prime Minister, Simon Ekpa, was arrested in Finland in November 2024 and remains in custody as Finnish authorities continue investigations related to allegations connected to his activities.

Reacting to the reports, Nkere in a statement on Wednesday accused the Nigerian government of attempting to use international mechanisms to undermine a political movement advocating self-determination for people of the South-East.

“Such actions would constitute a cynical misuse of frameworks to target a legitimate self-determination and independence movement representing millions of Christians from Southeast Nigeria,” he said.

Nkere succeeded Ekpa as prime minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile and has sought to reposition the movement’s international engagement strategy through advocacy and lobbying efforts in the United States.