Nigerian activist and public commentator Mahdi Shehu has warned that both Christians and Muslims would suffer if the United States were to invade Nigeria under the pretext of protecting religious groups.
In a post on X on Wednesday, Shehu alleged that Washington’s heightened interest in Nigeria is driven principally by a fear of China and commercial ambitions to control the country’s rare earth minerals.
“America’s fear of China and separate commercial considerations, including rare earth minerals, are the primary reasons for wanting to attack Nigeria. Protection of Christians from ‘persecution’ may be the second reason, which serves as a cover,” he wrote.
Shehu further cautioned that an invasion would harm ordinary Nigerians across faiths and compared the likely aftermath to the situation in Afghanistan.
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“Like in Afghanistan, after invading Nigeria, they will enter into lucrative mining site protection contracts with the same bandits, vandals, kidnappers, militias, and even arsonists,” he said.
The commentator’s post reflects concerns that foreign intervention justified on human-rights grounds could mask strategic and economic objectives, with long-term negative consequences for Nigeria’s security and social cohesion.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
