US Intervention Could Turn Our Country Into Another Venezuela — MURIC Warns Nigerians
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has warned Nigerians against urging the United States to intervene in the country’s internal affairs, cautioning that such calls could expose Nigeria to a crisis similar to what is currently unfolding in Venezuela.
The warning was issued in a statement on Monday by the organisation’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, who urged Nigerians to draw lessons from recent developments in Venezuela.
Akintola referenced reports of a recent United States military operation in Venezuela, during which President Nicolás Maduro was reportedly arrested, followed by indications that Washington intended to take control of the country and its vast oil resources.
He said the incident should serve as a wake-up call for Nigerians, stressing that foreign intervention often comes with far-reaching consequences.
“Venezuela is a timely lesson for Nigeria,” Akintola said, adding that the United States allegedly used the fight against hard drugs as justification for its intervention, despite Venezuela being a predominantly Christian nation.
According to MURIC, the development showed that economic interests, particularly control of oil resources, were the real motivation behind the intervention.
“America has now taken control of their oil. Nigerians must learn from Venezuela,” Akintola stated.
The group also criticised what it described as a “false narrative” of Christian genocide in Nigeria, warning that such claims could be exploited to justify foreign intervention in the country.
Akintola said some respected religious and political leaders had previously cautioned against promoting such narratives, noting that they could expose Nigeria to external manipulation and exploitation.
“It is time to listen to well-meaning Nigerians who warned earlier that religion and claims of Christian genocide are being used as tools to penetrate Nigeria for the exploitation of our resources,” he said.
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MURIC further drew attention to insecurity in several parts of the country, particularly attacks on Muslim communities in states such as Kwara, Katsina, Kebbi, Borno and Niger.
The organisation cited a recent attack at Kasuwan-Daji market in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, where dozens of people were reportedly killed and others abducted.
“Information reaching MURIC from our Niger State branch indicates that about 95 per cent of the victims are Muslims,” Akintola said, arguing that such incidents contradict claims of a targeted Christian genocide in Nigeria.
He warned that individuals promoting narratives of religious persecution while calling for foreign intervention were “endangering the country” and exposing both Christians and Muslims to potential harm.
MURIC also suggested that Nigeria may have avoided foreign military intervention so far because Venezuela’s larger oil reserves made it a more immediate target.
However, Akintola cautioned that Nigeria remains vulnerable as Africa’s leading crude oil producer.
“Nigeria is still the largest producer of crude oil in Africa. The attraction of our resources may still draw foreign attention if divisive narratives continue,” he warned.
The organisation called on Nigerians to embrace unity and abandon rhetoric capable of undermining national sovereignty.
“This path leads to self-destruction. We must not allow Nigeria to become a country where citizens labour while foreigners reap the benefits,” Akintola said.
He emphasised that MURIC was not opposed to the United States as a nation, describing Americans as “humane and idealistic,” but warned that Nigeria must not become a casualty of global power struggles.
“America should remain great, but not at the expense of innocent Nigerian lives,” he said.
Akintola urged Nigerians to protect the country’s oil and mineral resources, warning that the consequences of foreign domination could be irreversible if the warning is ignored.
By PRNigeria
