By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja
The December 25, 2025 United States airstrikes on suspected terrorist enclaves in Sokoto State have intensified national debate over Nigeria’s worsening insecurity and the growing involvement of foreign military forces in the country’s internal security operations.
The issue dominated proceedings in the Senate on Wednesday, as lawmakers expressed concerns over Nigeria’s sovereignty and the alleged exclusion of the National Assembly from decisions authorising foreign military action on Nigerian territory.
Raising the matter during plenary, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) faulted the U.S.-led operation, describing it as a violation of Nigeria’s territorial integrity despite the country’s ongoing battle with terrorism and violent extremism.
Ningi argued that the National Assembly, which has constitutional responsibilities in matters relating to defence and external military engagement, was not consulted before the strikes were carried out. He warned that sidelining the legislature on such sensitive security issues could set a dangerous precedent.
“It is not right for foreign forces to conduct military operations on Nigerian soil without the knowledge and involvement of the National Assembly,” Ningi said. “If this is allowed to stand, other global powers could in future justify unilateral military actions in Nigeria under the guise of security cooperation.”
He stressed that while insecurity remains a pressing national emergency, efforts to combat terrorism must not undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty or democratic processes.
In response, President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, urged restraint, noting that national security matters of such magnitude should not be debated openly. He disclosed that the Senate leadership had already arranged a closed-door briefing with relevant security agencies to address the airstrikes and Nigeria’s broader counterterrorism strategy.
Akpabio explained that the briefing, initially scheduled for Tuesday, January 27, was postponed following the suspension of legislative activities in honour of the late Senator Godiya Akwashiki, who died on December 31, 2025.
He assured senators that the briefing would now take place today, January 29.
“We should not discuss sensitive security issues in the open,” Akpabio said. “The leadership has taken note of these concerns, and a comprehensive briefing will be held behind closed doors.”
The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has confirmed that the airstrikes, carried out on December 25, 2025, were conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities and targeted camps linked to the Islamic State group operating in Nigeria’s North-west.
According to official disclosures, the operation involved the deployment of 16 precision-guided munitions from MQ-9 Reaper drones, alongside Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Gulf of Guinea.
The strikes were aimed at dismantling terrorist training and logistics hubs amid growing intelligence reports on the expansion of ISIS Sahel Province (ISSP) and allied groups, including Lakurawa, believed to be infiltrating Nigeria from the wider Sahel region.
However, the Sokoto airstrikes have reopened critical national questions on how Nigeria balances the urgent need to address escalating insecurity with the preservation of sovereignty, legislative oversight, and long-term national stability.
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