Sunday Jackson, a Christian farmer in Demsa LGA, was behind the killing of a Fulani man, Alhaji Ardo Bawuro (Buba Bawuro), who was grazing his cattle in the bush. On confrontation, Buba was stabbed by Sunday Jackson and later died from the knife wounds.
Jackson was arrested and charged with culpable homicide under Section 211 of the Adamawa State Penal Code. In February 2021, the High Court sentenced him to death by hanging. The Court of Appeal upheld the conviction, and on 7 March 2025, the Supreme Court affirmed the death sentence.
Because Sunday Jackson is a Christian, the case was twisted to claim he acted in self-defense. According to the story, Buba Bawuro entered Sunday’s farm with his cattle. When Sunday tried to protect his crops, an argument broke out, turning violent. Sunday reportedly disarmed the herdsman and, fearing for his life, stabbed him. The herdsman later died.
This twisted narrative was then pushed alongside claims of Christian genocide in Nigeria to the United States. Foreign collaborators demanded Sunday Jackson’s release as a prerequisite for Nigeria to partner with the U.S. in tackling insecurity.
American Congressman Riley Moore, who visited Nigeria for a fact-finding mission, reportedly stated that the U.S. demanded the immediate release of Sunday Jackson as part of conditions to begin military cooperation.
To appease the U.S., Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri granted a pardon to Sunday Jackson, today, Tuesday, 23rd December 2025.
Ultimately, the case of Sunday Jackson is one of many twisted stories of insecurity in Nigeria, amplified by internal and international Christian groups to influence foreign intervention in our country.
My take:
Granting Sunday Jackson the pardon is a good one, as an act of humanity. I believe Sunday Jackson must have regretted his actions in taking the life of Ardo Buba Bawuro from the trials of life and is ready to live a new life, allowing the law to take its course should anything arise between him and others in the future.
The questions troubling my heart are :
Why should some forces, on religious grounds, rush to defend Sunday Jackson instead of letting justice take its course?
Why are issues from Nigeria dragged to international platforms, as if our courts cannot handle them?
Why should a foreign country capitalize on a twisted story from internal actors in Nigeria to dictate to our sovereign nation?
Can the same foreign powers intervene for the 57 Muslim travelers killed by radical Christian Berom militias in Plateau in 2022, or for the countless innocent Muslims murdered by radical Christian groups in the state?
Why is selective outrage allowed to overshadow justice whenever religion or ethnicity is involved?
Why does the media amplify certain cases internationally while ignoring equally tragic events happening inside Nigeria?
Why do internal actors manipulate narratives to pressure foreign intervention in our judicial processes?
Why are the victims’ voices and their families’ suffering ignored while political and religious agendas dominate the conversation?
Why is equality before the law applied inconsistently depending on who the accused is or which religion they belong to?
Why is our sovereignty compromised by those who exploit tragedy to serve foreign and sectarian interests?
Why does hypocrisy thrive while real justice and accountability are sidelined?
Advice:
Justice must be allowed to run its course fairly and without interference—religious, political, or foreign. Selective outrage, manipulation of narratives, and internationalizing local cases only weaken our sovereignty and undermine the rule of law. Every life matters, every victim deserves recognition, and accountability should be blind to religion, ethnicity, or influence.
Before reacting to stories, whether locally or internationally, seek the truth, verify facts, and resist being swayed by twisted narratives. True progress and unity come when we uphold fairness, defend equality before the law, and place justice above agendas, emotions, or sectarian loyalty.
By Mustapha Gembu
Date: December 23rd, 2025
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