The December 25 airstrikes carried out by the United States on terrorist targets in Sokoto State sparked heated debate at the Senate on Wednesday, as Senator Abdul Ningi raised concerns over Nigeria’s sovereignty and legislative oversight.
Ningi, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, faulted the military operation, arguing that it infringed on Nigeria’s territorial integrity as a sovereign nation.
He contended that the National Assembly, constitutionally empowered to participate in discussions relating to foreign military involvement, was not consulted before the strikes were executed.
During plenary presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Ningi cautioned against allowing the executive arm of government to unilaterally approve foreign military actions without legislative input.
According to him, such a precedent could embolden other global powers to carry out military operations within Nigeria without recourse to the National Assembly.
“It is not right. The leadership of the National Assembly should take a briefing from the security agencies on what really happened. This is a violation of our territorial integrity,” Ningi said.
Akpabio, however, intervened to calm tensions, explaining that the Senate leadership had planned to brief lawmakers in a closed session on Tuesday, January 27, following the Christmas and New Year recess.
He disclosed that the planned briefing was postponed due to the suspension of legislative activities in honour of the late Senator Godiya Akwashiki, who died on December 31, 2025.
Emphasising the sensitive nature of security matters, Akpabio noted that such discussions should not take place in open plenary, assuring senators that a closed-door briefing would still be held.
“We should not discuss this in the open. We intended to do it behind closed doors yesterday, but because of Senator Akwashiki’s demise, we could not. Your point of order is noted, and we will brief you in camera,” Akpabio said.
The United States conducted the airstrikes on December 25 in coordination with Nigerian authorities, targeting camps linked to the Islamic State group. The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed that multiple ISIS fighters were killed in the operation.
The strikes reportedly involved 16 munitions deployed from MQ-9 Reaper drones and Tomahawk missiles launched from a U.S. Navy destroyer stationed in the Gulf of Guinea. The operation was aimed at disrupting terrorist hubs used for training, logistics and attack planning, amid rising threats from ISIS Sahel Province and allied groups infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel region.
The development comes shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump classified Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” citing allegations of persecution and killings of Christians in the country.