‘Nigeria’s Most Wanted’: Tinubu’s $9Million US Lobby Operation Targets Ex-Texas Mayor Mike Arnold –Review | Sahara Reporters

The statement said DCI Group’s Nigerian engagement had reportedly been valued at $750,000 per month, amounting to $9 million over 12 months.

A documented review of a Nigerian government-backed social media account has identified Mike Arnold, a former mayor of Blanco, Texas, as the most frequently targeted individual among critics of President Bola Tinubu.

Arnold, a filmmaker and founder of Africa Arise International, has spent 16 years working in Nigeria, including with displaced communities and victims of violence. He has become an outspoken critic of the Tinubu administration, particularly its handling of insecurity and attacks on Christian communities.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday, the review examined posts by @SecureNigeriaHQ, an X account created in February 2026 that publicly identifies DCI Group as its manager on behalf of the Republic of Nigeria through Aster Legal.

The statement said DCI Group’s Nigerian engagement had reportedly been valued at $750,000 per month, amounting to $9 million over 12 months.

It said the account had repeatedly questioned Arnold’s funding and credibility, associated him with Biafran separatists, accused him of undermining US-Nigeria counterterrorism cooperation and mocked his documentary and advocacy work.

On June 25, the account reportedly questioned whether Arnold had received a $5,000 speaking fee and asked who was “footing the bill.”

On July 6, it accused Arnold of opposing the US-Nigeria Counterterrorism Partnership, declaring: “The only one making Nigerian Christians unsafe is you, Mike.”

The account also mocked what it described as Arnold’s “nonstop propaganda and unhinged ChatGPT graphics” on August 17 and continued tagging him as recently as August 23, according to the statement.

Other individuals identified as targets include Alex Barbir, Judd Saul, US Rep. Riley Moore, former US Ambassador Tibor Nagy and former Ambassador Sam Brownback.

However, the review described Arnold as the “most frequently targeted individual” among those identified.

Arnold, who served as mayor of Blanco, Texas, dismissed the attacks on his credibility.

“Lies, all lies. But what do you expect from Tinubu? Multiple birth years. Records identifying him as female. A school that didn’t exist yet. American drug files he still doesn’t want opened. This guy has more red flags than a Chinese parade — and he’s paying people to investigate my credibility?” he said.

The former mayor has particularly criticised the Tinubu administration’s handling of jihadist violence and what he calls the president’s “House of Lies” and “Bush Boys.”

“Tinubu promised Nigerians safety. Instead, his Bush Boys keep killing, kidnapping and burning their way across the country while Abuja manufactures another success story. At some point incompetence stops being an excuse. You have to ask who this government is actually protecting,” Arnold said.

He also cited the experience of Ngoshe, a community in Borno State, as an example of what he described as a gap between government claims about improved security and conditions on the ground.

“They declared Boko Haram defeated. They told the people of Ngoshe it was safe to go home. They paid families to return. Then the killers came back. People died. That’s Tinubu’s House of Lies in one village: announce the victory, take the photograph, abandon the people, bury the dead,” he said.

Arnold began travelling to Nigeria in 2010, with his involvement growing from ministry work into humanitarian projects, schools and documentation of violence involving displaced communities.

Through Africa Arise, he said his work now includes educational programmes for displaced Nigerian children.

“Sixteen years in Nigeria and I’ve learned one thing about liars: they don’t fear another politician. They fear the guy with the receipts. Apparently I’m that guy,” Arnold said.

He contrasted his activities with the resources available to the Nigerian government and its Washington lobbying operation.

“Tinubu has the presidency, the security services and $9 million worth of Washington spin doctors. I’ve got muddy boots, an iPhone and 16 years of receipts. And somehow I’m the one keeping them up at night. That’s hilarious,” he said.

Arnold also claimed that the attacks had increased interest in his views among US congressional offices.

“Every time Tinubu’s lobbyists come after me, another congressional office wants to know what I know. Brilliant strategy. Nine million dollars to make the witness more interesting,” he said.

He accused the administration of trying to silence criticism by attacking its critics rather than addressing the allegations they raise.

“He hasn’t learned from history. Crucify the messenger and sometimes the message only gets stronger. They wanted to discredit me. Instead, they’ve put a giant neon sign over my head saying, ‘THIS IS THE GUY WE DON’T WANT YOU LISTENING TO.’ Washington knows how to read,” Arnold said.

The statement questioned whether the strategy could ultimately undermine the lobbying operation itself.

“Is DCI discrediting Mike Arnold — or itself?” it asked, arguing that repeated attacks could draw greater attention to the allegations, witnesses and evidence Arnold has presented to US policymakers.

“Bring it on. Attack me again. Put my name in another tweet. Give another congressional office a reason to pick up the phone. You’re spending $9 million trying to discredit me and making me more dangerous to you every week,” he said.

The statement clarified that there is no arrest warrant or criminal charge against Arnold, and that the phrase “Nigeria’s Most Wanted” is satirical, referring to his identification as the most frequently targeted individual in the review of the government-backed US communications campaign.

“If I’m Nigeria’s Most Wanted, I’ll wear it. Tinubu has the presidency, the security services, the money and the lobbyists. I’ve got 16 years in the field and the receipts. Let’s see which one Washington believes,” he said.

“Please, Mr. President, don’t stop. Nine million dollars of Tinubu money promoting Mike Arnold in Washington? At this rate, DCI is going to get me elected to Congress.”

The statement said complete @SecureNigeriaHQ post IDs, timestamps and quoted material were available to journalists for independent verification. It also directed journalists to MikeArnold.org for additional information about Arnold’s work in Nigeria and Africa Arise.