U.S. Missionary Barbir Denies Being Deported From Nigeria
Last update: April 7, 2026
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U.S. missionary denies Nigeria deportation claim amid dispute
American missionary Alex Barbir has denied claims by the Nigerian government that he was deported, describing the allegation as false and misleading.
Barbir, reacting hours after reports of his alleged expulsion, said he remained in Nigeria and had not been officially removed by authorities.
“Two hours before flight I’m live on News Central. DSS attached to me during my mission for protection. Round trip flights. Zero official deportation letter. Embassy never informed of any such desire,” he said in a statement on social media.
He challenged officials to provide proof of any deportation process, insisting that due procedures were not followed.
Barbir also rejected remarks attributed to Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Assistant to Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement (North Central), who had said he was removed over alleged inflammatory comments.
“If Abiodun Essiet made this statement, they are directly lying to the Nigerian and international community. I’ve never heard of this person, nor had conversation with them. U.S. Embassy denies such claim,” he said.
Escalating his response, Barbir accused Essiet of spreading falsehoods and attempting to mislead the public, adding that no official communication had been made with the United States Embassy in Nigeria regarding any deportation.
“Any deportation of a U.S. citizen must go through the embassy, of which none was made,” he said.
Essiet had earlier said in a television interview that the government had taken action against Barbir, stating he was “no longer in Nigeria” and had been sent out of the country.
She alleged that his remarks incited unrest, linking a speech he delivered in Jos, Plateau State, to subsequent violence, including the killing of two people.
“That’s what the government has done, because we don’t want individuals to come and create division,” she said, warning against rhetoric that could fuel ethnic or religious tensions.
Barbir, however, maintained that no such action was taken, reiterating that there was no deportation notice and no official engagement with U.S. authorities.
The conflicting accounts have raised questions over the circumstances surrounding the missionary’s activities and the accuracy of the government’s position.
