A New York Times investigation has raised questions about the intelligence that informed recent United States airstrikes on militant targets in Nigeria, prompting renewed discussion about how unverified information can shape foreign policy and military action.

The article, published on January 18, 2026, details how information from Emeka Umeagbalasi, a trader and founder of a small civil society group in Onitsha, Anambra State, was cited by several U.S. lawmakers. It claims that the articles by Umeagbalasi may have played a role in shaping narratives that influenced the decision to carry out strikes against Islamist militant targets in northwest Nigeria.

According to the Times, Umeagbalasi has compiled figures suggesting that large numbers of Christians have been killed in Nigeria’s ongoing conflicts. More so, he made claims of tens of thousands of deaths since 2009. However, the article reports that his methods rely heavily on secondary sources, media reports, and online searches. Also, he often assumes victims’ religion based on location rather than verified data.

The report notes that U.S. political figures, including Republican lawmakers such as Senator Ted Cruz and Representatives Riley Moore and Chris Smith, have cited Umeagbalasi’s work in public statements.

Policy discussions, including in congressional debates about Nigeria’s designation as a country of particular concern for religious freedom violations, also mention Umeagbalasi’s work.

Response to Intelligence Source for Airstrikes in Nigeria

In response to the report, critics argue that the reliance on unverified data raises concerns about the rigour of the information used to justify military action, especially when civilian lives are at stake.

Supporters of the operations emphasize that the December 26, 2025, airstrikes against alleged ISIS-linked militants in Sokoto State were carried out in coordination with the Nigerian government. More so, that it based on broader security cooperation.

U.S. officials and Nigerian authorities have stressed that the strikes aimed to degrade extremist capacity and were not targeted at any specific religious community.

The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterated that counter-terrorism efforts are meant to protect all citizens, Christian and Muslim. It also said that shared intelligence with international partners is part of ongoing security cooperation.

Independent conflict monitoring data suggests that violence in Nigeria affects diverse communities and is driven by complex insurgent activity, not solely religious targeting.