Former United States Mayor, Mike Arnold, has sparked intense debate after issuing a strongly worded warning about the state of Nigeria’s security under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. In a series of viral posts on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, @MikeArnoldTruth, Arnold suggested that meaningful international intervention—possibly including actions that could “dismantle” the current Nigerian government—may become necessary if the killings of Christians and other vulnerable groups continue unchecked.
His remarks come at a time when the international community is paying renewed attention to violence in Nigeria, especially against Christian communities in the Middle Belt, where attacks by armed groups have escalated in recent months.
Arnold Accuses Nigerian Government of Enabling Terror
In his posts, Arnold accused the Nigerian government not only of failing to address insecurity but of being structurally aligned with extremist elements. He alleged that those in power benefit politically from violent groups and therefore have no incentive to protect the population.
“The Nigerian government and their media puppets are in full panic mode — scrambling to stop international scrutiny, terrified of real intervention,” he said. “But instead of offering solutions, they offer lies, deflections, and empty outrage.”
He went further to allege that some political elites view extremist groups as “constituents” and “coalition partners,” depending on them for influence, control, and political advantage.
‘Extremists Are Protected, Not Punished’
Arnold insisted that instead of prosecuting extremist killers, the system shields them from accountability. “They don’t fight extremists — they welcome them, protect them, bow to them,” he stated.
He argued that Nigeria cannot achieve lasting peace until the political structure that enables violence is dismantled, warning that the country risks further decline if it continues to minimize or deny the crisis.
“Until we dismantle the belief that some lives are disposable, the blood will not stop,” he added pointedly.
Fear of Wider Instability
Arnold noted that the current trend of violence is unsustainable for any nation. He stressed that societies that allow extremist ideologies to flourish eventually collapse under the weight of their contradictions.
“No society that permits this ideology to flourish will last. And no system that protects it deserves to,” he said.
Mixed Reactions and #EarthShaker Trends
The former mayor’s comments immediately triggered heated reactions across Nigeria’s online community. Supporters of his stance described the message as an overdue wake-up call, saying it reflects international frustration with Nigeria’s handling of security issues.
Critics, however, accused him of foreign interference, colonial overreach, and exaggeration, arguing that Nigeria’s sovereignty must be respected regardless of its internal challenges.
The hashtag #EarthShaker trended widely as Nigerians debated whether Arnold’s remarks were a necessary warning or an inappropriate intrusion into the nation’s affairs.
His statements add to mounting international pressure on the Nigerian government, especially following global calls for the protection of vulnerable communities and increasing criticism over the country’s inability to account for missing persons and victims of extremist attacks.
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