Tech entrepreneur and public affairs commentator, Charles Awuzie, has accused American political consultant Mike Arnold of being part of an alleged international conspiracy to deploy private military contractors to Nigeria under the guise of protecting Christians.
In a strongly worded statement posted on his verified social media handles, Awuzie claimed that Arnold was “consciously or unconsciously” working with Erik Prince, founder of the controversial US private military company Blackwater, to send mercenaries into Nigeria.
According to Awuzie, Prince, whose firm was involved in the infamous 2007 Nisour Square massacre in Iraq, was allegedly seeking funding, even from religious authorities, to re-enter African and European conflict zones under humanitarian pretences.
“Mike Arnold is consciously or unconsciously part of the Erik Prince conspiracy to send private armies to Nigeria,” Awuzie wrote.
“Erik Prince wants to enter the Ukraine war by all means. He has recently asked the Pope to fund his company to send private armies to protect Nigerian Christians.”
Awuzie, however, warned that such moves were dangerous and capable of undermining Nigeria’s sovereignty. He urged the nation’s intelligence agencies and political leadership to remain vigilant and rely on indigenous security solutions rather than foreign interventions.
“Yes, Nigeria has its insecurity problems, but we shall use indigenous solutions to solve local problems,” he wrote.
“I am personally writing this note to the Nigerian Intelligence Community, please start trusting local defence security providers more. Let’s encourage and grow our own solution providers.”
He further warned that foreign actors were “scavengers thirsty for African blood and minerals”, stressing that only transparency, accountability, and improved governance could prevent foreign powers from exploiting Nigeria’s instability.
Awuzie also suggested that some international figures were manipulating local sentiments to destabilise the country politically, citing possible future attempts by Mike Arnold to exploit sensitive issues such as the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
“He will call for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu not because he loves him, but because he wants to heat up the polity,” Awuzie alleged.
“The Government can outsmart these foreign elements by negotiating peace with Kanu and his group. No Government doesn’t negotiate — we’ve done it with those in the North; let’s do the same in the South.”
Awuzie also took a swipe at Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide, accusing him of collaborating with Arnold for social media campaigns aimed at influencing public opinion.
“Mike Arnold doesn’t love Nigeria. If he does, he should bring investments into the country and not help Erik Prince to penetrate Nigeria with private armies,” he added.
Awuzie called on Nigerian authorities and security agencies to take his warning seriously and prevent any attempt by foreign interests to infiltrate or destabilise the country under the pretext of humanitarian intervention.
