A former United States diplomat, Sam Brownback, has raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s worsening security situation, warning that the country could face a violent breakup if urgent action is not taken.
Brownback directed the warning at Bola Ahmed Tinubu amid continued killings and insecurity across various parts of the country. His remarks were captured in a viral video, where he described the situation as having reached a critical stage.
“Breaking point, stop the killings now or face a split of the country,” he said.
The former envoy, who previously served as U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, expressed concern over the scale of violence, particularly affecting Christian communities, while noting that moderate Muslims are also impacted.
He warned that the crisis could escalate if not urgently addressed. “That’s not going to be able to sustain itself and continue without leading to a violent split up of the country. And I say those words cautiously, and I don’t like saying those words, but I believe it to be the truth,” he added.
Brownback stressed that failure by the Nigerian government to act decisively could worsen the situation and trigger broader unrest.
“If the Nigerian government now does not get on top of this situation… if they don’t stop this, this is going to lead to broader bloodshed throughout Nigeria and probably a splitting up of the country. And it’s that dramatic,” he said.
His comments come at a time of heightened insecurity across Nigeria, with several regions experiencing attacks by bandits, insurgents, and other armed groups. Kidnappings, communal clashes, and targeted killings have continued to place pressure on security agencies.
The Federal Government has maintained that efforts are ongoing to address the crisis, including intensified security operations in affected areas, while urging citizens to remain calm.
However, concerns persist among Nigerians and international observers over the scale of the violence and the pace of response by authorities.
