How a Screwdriver Salesman Helped Fuel U.S. Airstrikes in Nigeria

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 5 min read 100% complete by Ruth MacleanJanuary 18, 2026 at 06:01 AM

AI Summary

long article 5 min

A Nigerian screwdriver salesman, Emeka Umeagbalasi, has become an unlikely source of information used by U.S. Republican lawmakers to justify American intervention in Nigeria. Umeagbalasi, who claims to have documented 125,000 Christian deaths since 2009, acknowledges his research relies heavily on unverified secondary sources. His data has been cited by figures like Senator Ted Cruz and Representatives Riley Moore and Chris Smith to promote the idea of targeted Christian slaughter in Nigeria. This information contributed to President Trump's decision to launch airstrikes in Nigeria on Christmas Day. While the Nigerian government lacks comprehensive data on religious violence, researchers suggest widespread insecurity endangers both Christians and Muslims in the country.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Asaba 30% Onitsha ×340% Ted Cruz ×250% Riley Moore ×250% Chris Smith ×250% Donald Trump 60% United States ×270% Nigeria ×780% Emeka Umeagbalasi ×690%

Keywords

nigeria 100% emeka umeagbalasi 90% u.s. airstrikes 80% christian deaths 70% republican lawmakers 60% misleading information 60% religious violence 60% unverified data 50%

Sentiment Analysis

Negative

Score: -0.40

Source Transparency

Source

New York Times - World

Political Lean

Center-Left (-0.30)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

Geographic Perspective

Nigeria

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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nigeria emeka umeagbalasi u.s. airstrikes christian deaths republican lawmakers misleading information religious violence unverified data

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