US Shooting Sparks Controversy Over Afghan Vetting as Trump Blames Biden

A shooting involving two National Guard members by a 29-year-old Afghan national has reignited debate over the United States’ refugee vetting process, even as records show the suspect underwent more than a decade of extensive screening by American intelligence agencies.

The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was among nearly 190,000 Afghans evacuated after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

Despite this, President Donald Trump quickly blamed the Biden administration, accusing it of admitting “unknown and unvetted foreigners” into the country and using the incident to justify sweeping immigration measures.

Records indicate that Lakanwal had been subject to continuous vetting over the years.

He began working with the CIA and U.S. military in 2011, undergoing initial security screening.

In 2021, he was vetted by the National Counterterrorism Center prior to evacuation and continued under routine vetting while residing in the United States.

In April 2025, he was granted permanent asylum by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under the Trump administration.

A senior U.S. official told CNN that multiple rounds of vetting “did not show any ties to terror organizations. He was clean on all checks.”

In reaction to the shooting, the Trump administration announced several policy shifts, including a re-examination of all green cards issued to nationals from 19 “countries of concern,” a review of all asylum cases approved under the Biden administration, and an indefinite suspension of immigration processing for Afghan nationals.

A Trump administration official argued that the Biden-led evacuation process was “inherently flawed,” claiming that “the government was in shambles and in the process of being taken over by the Taliban.”

However, a 2025 Justice Department audit contradicted these claims, finding “no systemic breakdowns” in the Afghan vetting process, while acknowledging that the haste of the evacuation increased potential security risks.

The incident has intensified scrutiny of the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal and resettlement programme, bringing to the fore tensions between national security priorities and the United States’ obligations to wartime allies.

As investigations into the shooting continue without a determined motive, the case has quickly become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over U.S. immigration and refugee policies.

Time to Defend Every Nigerian Life, by Boniface Ihiasota

Nigeria stands today at a moral and historical crossroads, one that demands clear-eyed reflection and courageous action. From the vantage point of the diaspora, with the benefit of distance yet the burden of deep emotional connection, it is impossible to ignore the painful realities unfolding across parts of the Middle Belt and the North. Communities that once lived in harmony now grapple with waves of violence often described with soft, almost technical language — “herder-farmer clashes,” “bandit attacks,” “reprisal killings.”

Behind these labels are fathers and mothers who can no longer return to their farms, children who sleep in fear, elders watching the erosion of traditions that once bound communities together, and families who have endured losses no words can fully capture. These are Nigerians — Christians, Muslims, farmers, herders, artisans, all deserving of dignity and safety.

This crisis is not simply a security failure. It is a moral test of our nationhood. In the diaspora, we encounter societies where public safety, community trust, and national cohesion are not abstract aspirations; they are supported by deliberate, well-funded systems. These systems are not perfect, but they offer models Nigeria can adapt in practical, culturally grounded ways.

And while the statistics on Nigeria’s challenges are sobering, they point not to government guilt, but to the urgent need for coordinated, transparent, data-driven reforms that protect vulnerable communities and rebuild public confidence.

Reports cited by global faith-monitoring organisations, humanitarian groups, and rights bodies present a troubling picture. One frequently referenced dataset in international discourse, including the 2024 World Watch List, places Nigeria among countries where Christians face severe risks, with figures running into the thousands for those reported killed in 2023 alone.

Parliamentary briefings abroad and humanitarian groups such as the Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust have documented recurring attacks, widespread displacement, and systematic destruction of villages. Other organisations, such as Intersociety, also chronicle patterns of violence affecting both Christians and Muslims in rural regions. While some of these figures remain contested within Nigeria, they nevertheless reinforce the urgency of strengthening national protection systems and ensuring that every Nigerian, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, is afforded equal security, equal justice, and equal empathy.

From a diaspora viewpoint, what stands out is not just the scale of the violence but the preventable nature of many tragedies. Advanced countries facing communal tensions have invested in strong early-warning networks, multi-agency coordination mechanisms, and community-centred policing models.

These systems show measurable success by improving response times, reducing escalation, and fostering trust between citizens and security institutions. Nigeria can draw practical lessons from these approaches. Effective national coordination models, such as those used in the United States for crisis management, rely on unified command structures, common communication standards, and the integration of faith-based and community organisations into emergency planning.

A Nigerian adaptation of this model could create a national platform where security agencies, traditional rulers, faith leaders, and civil society jointly analyse threats, share intelligence, and mobilise rapid responses. Such a structure, rooted in Nigeria’s cultural realities but informed by global best practices, would save lives.

Equally important is community policing, not the informal, unregulated kind that fuels abuse or vigilantism, but structured, accountable, measurable partnership policing. Countries like the UK and Canada demonstrate that when local security actors operate with clear legal boundaries, training, and oversight, citizen trust and intelligence flow improve dramatically. Nigeria can replicate this by formally integrating vetted community groups and traditional institutions into local security frameworks under police supervision. This approach respects the local knowledge that rural communities possess while ensuring professional accountability.

Security, however, is only one dimension. The human cost of the violence like displacement, destroyed livelihoods, psychological trauma requires a level of social investment that advanced nations routinely prioritise.

International health bodies highlight that conflict exposure significantly heightens long-term mental health needs. Nigeria will require expanded trauma care, community counselling programs, and accessible psychosocial support delivered through primary healthcare and faith networks. Rebuilding homes, restoring farms, and providing tools and training are equally essential; these interventions not only restore dignity but also deepen trust in government.

Places of worship, too often targeted, need structured protection. Advanced countries have implemented national schemes that support security upgrades for mosques, churches, synagogues, and temples most at risk. Nigeria can create a similar framework in high-risk regions, providing basic infrastructure like lighting, reinforced entry points, and community safety training. Such measures demonstrate state commitment to protecting freedom of worship, a constitutional right and a moral obligation.

As the diaspora, we recognise the efforts the Nigerian government has already made in confronting insurgency and upgrading security architecture. But the next phase requires deliberate attention to vulnerable rural populations in flashpoint areas like Plateau, Benue, and Southern Kaduna. These regions are not peripheral; they are central to Nigeria’s food security, interfaith cohesion, and national stability. Protecting them is both a justice imperative and a strategic necessity.

The path forward must be one of collaboration, not division. Churches and mosques must champion narratives of unity. Civil society must monitor data transparently. Media must avoid sensationalism and focus on verified information. Security agencies must be commended when they act swiftly and fairly, and held accountable when they fall short. Government must demonstrate openness, empathy, and partnership. And the diaspora must continue to contribute technical expertise, advocacy, and resources.

Nigeria has survived darker moments and emerged stronger. With decisive leadership, evidence-based reforms, and a renewed commitment to the sanctity of every Nigerian life, this tragedy can be transformed into an opportunity for national rebirth. The time for blame is over. What Nigeria needs now is compassion anchored in facts, courage backed by action, and collaboration driven by a shared belief that every Nigerian deserves to live and worship without fear.

CARICOM Secretary-General Joins Suriname in Celebrating 50th Independence Anniversary

The Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dr Carla Barnett, has joined the government and people of Suriname in commemorating the nation’s 50th Independence Anniversary, marking a significant milestone in the country’s political and socio-economic journey.

Dr Barnett arrived in the Dutch-speaking Member State on 24 November for a three-day official visit, during which she is expected to participate in a series of national events lined up to celebrate the Golden Jubilee.

As part of the activities, the CARICOM chief attended a high-level networking reception hosted by the President of Suriname, H.E. Jennifer Geerlings Simons.

The event brought together key stakeholders and development partners in honour of the country’s progress since attaining independence.

She also joined citizens and dignitaries at the National 50th Independence Anniversary Thanksgiving Service, a solemn ceremony held to reflect on Suriname’s achievements and resilience over the past five decades.

On 25 November, Dr Barnett was present at the Extraordinary Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Suriname, where lawmakers convened in special sitting to mark the historic occasion.

She is also scheduled to witness a colourful parade by the Armed Forces, which will feature parachute-jumping displays as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations.

During the visit, the CARICOM Secretary-General will pay a Courtesy Call on the President of Suriname, as regional leaders continue to strengthen ties and reaffirm the Community’s commitment to unity, cooperation, and shared development.