In a striking escalation of diplomatic pressure, the United States is now tying its prospective military cooperation with Nigeria to the immediate release of Sunday Jackson, a farmer condemned to death for killing a Fulani herdsman in what he and his legal team maintain was clear self-defense.
The High-Stakes Ultimatum
U.S. Representative Riley M. Moore, speaking on Fox News and during a congressional hearing, has made two explicit conditions for advancing a military partnership with Nigeria:
1. Immediate clemency for Sunday Jackson, currently on death row; and
2. A credible disarmament plan for violent militant herdsmen, particularly in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
Moore’s intervention comes as the U.S. seeks deeper collaboration in addressing the escalating security crisis in Nigeria—especially farmer-herder conflicts and abductions in the north.
Who Is Sunday Jackson?
Sunday Jackson, a farmer and former student from Adamawa State, has become a polarizing figure. In 2015, he was allegedly attacked on his farm by Buba Ardo Bawuro, a Fulani herdsman. According to Jackson, Bawuro invaded his farmland with cattle, then brandished a knife and stabbed him. The injured Jackson disarmed his assailant and, in the ensuing struggle, fatally stabbed him.
Jackson was arrested and charged with culpable homicide. In 2021, a high court in Yola sentenced him to death by hanging, rejecting his self-defense claim. After several appeals, the Supreme Court upheld the sentence on March 7, 2025.
His only remaining hope lies in a state pardon from Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.
Double Standards, Advocate Says
Moore, in his address to Congress, pointedly criticized Nigeria’s justice system. He described Jackson’s sentencing as “preposterous,” arguing that while Jackson is being punished for defending his life, heavily armed herdsmen continue to roam freely with sophisticated weaponry.
He highlighted a troubling “double standard”:
> “All these Fulani militants are breaking Nigerian law … yet Sunday Jackson disarmed one with a knife and now faces the death penalty, while others roam with AK-47s.”
A Broader Security Context
Moore’s call for Jackson’s release is not just a matter of justice—it’s deeply tied to a broader U.S. security agenda in Nigeria. He argues that disarming herdsmen and tackling the insecurity in Nigeria’s Middle Belt would be foundational for a credible military partnership.
According to him, the recent meeting between U.S. officials and a Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu was “productive” and signaled Nigeria’s openness to tackling these shared security challenges.
The Case Draws Global and Faith-Based Attention
Jackson’s plight has sparked international concern and mobilized human rights advocates and faith leaders. American pastor William Devlin, based in New York, has gone so far as to offer his own life in exchange for Jackson’s. Devlin, who has backed the case since 2021, said he’s prepared to die if it means Jackson is spared.
On the legal front, Emmanuel Ogebe, an international human rights lawyer, has condemned Jackson’s death sentence as a "miscarriage of justice" and called the Supreme Court’s rejection of his self-defense argument deeply disturbing.
Calls for Mercy Fall on Deaf Ears – So Far
In October 2025, Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu granted pardons to 175 inmates—but Jackson was excluded, despite public outcry and advocacy from religious and civil society organizations.
At the state level, appeals to Governor Fintiri have also been made. Jackson himself penned a heartfelt letter, reminding the governor how he was defending his land, that he never asked to be attacked, and that he’s already spent almost a decade behind bars.
Adding to the emotional weight is a powerful act of forgiveness: the family of the deceased herdsman has made a public plea, asking that Jackson’s sentence not be carried out.
Why This Matters — Beyond the Individual
1. Security Cooperation: The U.S. leveraging a clemency demand as a precondition for military cooperation signals a bold approach, fusing human rights and security policy.
2. Rule of Law & Justice: The Jackson case raises fundamental legal questions—particularly about self-defense rights and proportional punishment in Nigeria’s justice system.
3. Political Pressure: International calls put pressure on the Nigerian government not only domestically but on the diplomatic front. This could reshape how security aid is negotiated.
4. Religious and Social Dynamics: Jackson’s case resonates deeply among Christian groups and human rights advocates, framing his plight within broader concerns of religious persecution and legal inequality.
The Road Ahead
Pardon Decision: Governor Fintiri has the constitutional power to grant Jackson clemency. Whether he acts could determine Jackson’s fate.
Military Negotiations: The ball is now in Nigeria’s court. Will it meet the U.S. conditions and embark on a joint military strategy?
Public Advocacy: The global spotlight intensifies. Human rights groups, faith leaders, and even U.S. lawmakers may continue to press for Jackson’s release.
Long-Term Reform: Beyond Jackson, this moment could spark deeper reforms around self-defense rights, farm-herder conflict, and militi a disarmament in Nigeria.
Conclusion: The case of Sunday Jackson has morphed from a deeply personal legal tragedy into a high-stakes diplomatic lever. The United States is no longer merely advocating for his freedom—it’s conditioning an entire security partnership on it. How Nigeria responds could reshape its future on multiple fronts: justice, security, and international credibility.
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