American filmmaker Jeff Gibbs has called for the restoration of displaced Nigerians rather than their neglect, saying the plight of millions in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps should be a global concern, not a political talking point.
Gibbs, who spoke from ARISE News’ off-site studio during an interview on Monday, is part of a US fact-finding delegation visiting Nigeria to assess claims by Senator Ted Cruz that the Nigerian government is supporting a “Christian genocide.”
Gibbs, who has been documenting the situation in Nigeria for years, said his focus is on the humanity and hope he sees in displaced communities rather than the politics surrounding them.
“Across all walks of life, across different tribes, peoples, and faiths, what I’ve seen through the hearts and eyes of Nigerians is what keeps me coming back,” he said.
“These schools that we serve — for children of the internally displaced who ask for nothing except education and hope — are what inspire me. I would like to see these camps eradicated, not by neglect but by restoring their people. We do need to serve these children and these IDPs, but they need to be restored, not forgotten.”
Gibbs, who has visited Nigeria six times in four years, said his role on the mission is to support Mayor Arnold’s investigation and document their experiences through film.
“It’s a brief mission this time,” he explained. “I’m here in support of the mayor and his fact-finding work. I’ve spent time in the camps, made friends with the children, and seen both Christian and Muslim communities united by the same hope. In one camp, our students are mostly Christian; in another, mostly Muslim. What unites them is the light in their eyes — they shine with love. That’s what I’ve been responding to as a filmmaker.”
Asked about the impact of their documentary, Gibbs said filmmaking is a powerful tool to tell the truth and change narratives.
“Filmmaking involves all of the senses. Our goal is to bring awareness, not to take sides,” he said. “Mike and I have been working for years to tell these stories, and the world is only just starting to pay attention. I’d like the truth to be heard — and hate to be fought with love.”
He also acknowledged that many displaced Nigerians remain underserved despite their suffering.
“That’s a very good question — why they appear to be ignored,” he said when asked why conditions in the camps persist. “Based on discussions I’ve been part of, I don’t have a good answer for that. I’d have to defer to Mayor Arnold on that.”
Mayor Arnold, who runs schools for IDPs in the Federal Capital Territory and has visited several conflict-affected areas including Jos, Bokkos, and Gwoza, described the crisis as a “curse on the nation” if not urgently addressed.
“I see multitudes of children growing up believing power comes from violence and that being peaceful is death,” Arnold said. “That’s a curse on this nation if there’s no intervention.”
Omokri, who organised the visit, said the delegation’s mission is to help correct the “false narrative” being spread in the United States about a government-backed religious genocide in Nigeria.
“These fact-finders have met with the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Jama’atu Nasril Islam.”
He concluded that “We’ve established that there are victims on both sides — Christians and Muslims alike — and this idea of a Christian genocide must be corrected. Otherwise, calls to label Nigeria a ‘country of particular concern’ will only embolden terrorists and punish innocent citizens.”
Boluwatife Enome
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