THIS DAWN — A viral claim circulating across social media and several blogs alleges that the United States government has demanded the immediate release of Nigerian farmer, Sunday Jackson, as part of its conditions to begin a new military partnership with Nigeria.
However, a closer review of official statements, media reports, and congressional records shows that the claim is misleading.
The controversy stems from the comments of U.S. Congressman Riley M. Moore, who recently spoke in a Fox News interview.
Riley spoke about worsening insecurity in Nigeria and the debate over potential U.S.–Nigeria security collaboration.
What Riley said
In that interview, Moore argued that deeper military cooperation should be tied to human-rights concerns.
He specifically called for Jackson’s release and urged Nigeria to present a credible plan to curb armed Fulani militant violence.
Moore’s comments were widely reported by THIS DAWN and other Nigerian outlets, where headlines implied that the U.S. government had issued a formal demand.
However, there is no evidence that the White House, Department of State, Department of Defense, or any other U.S. federal agency has adopted Moore’s position as official policy.
Instead, the demand originates solely from one legislator, not from the executive branch that manages foreign and military policy.
No official U.S. government statement, press briefing, policy document, or diplomatic communication has referenced Jackson’s case as a prerequisite for security cooperation.
Who is Sunday Jackson?
Jackson, a farmer from Adamawa State, was convicted of culpable homicide after the death of an armed herdsman.
He is currently facing a death sentence upheld by Nigeria’s Supreme Court and his case has attracted international human-rights attention.
Moore’s comments reflect a growing concern among certain U.S. lawmakers about Nigeria’s justice system and ethnic-religious conflict.
Nigeria, for its part, has welcomed U.S. assistance but insists sovereignty and legal processes must be respected, particularly in a case already decided by the nation’s highest court.
Conclusion
The claim that the U.S. government is demanding Sunday Jackson’s release as a condition for military partnership is false.
The call was made only by Congressman Riley Moore and has not been adopted by the U.S. administration.
Any suggestion of an official U.S. ultimatum is inaccurate and unsupported by evidence.
