US Airstrikes: Senate Demands Briefing After Nigerian Sovereignty Concerns
By: Abudu Olalekan
The explosions came on Christmas Day. Silent, deadly, and from the sky. US warplanes struck suspected ISIS camps in Sokoto State. Nigeria’s government called it a joint operation. But in Abuja’s Senate chamber, fireworks erupted.
Senator Abdul Ningi didn’t mince words. “Violation of our territorial integrity,” he declared. His voice cut through the quiet of Wednesday’s session. The Bauchi-Central lawmaker, a PDP stalwart, accused the executive branch of sidelining the National Assembly. No consultation. No debate. Just bombs on Nigerian soil.
Ningi’s warning was stark. “If America can do this, what stops Russia? Or anyone?” He leaned forward, hands gripping the podium. “This sets a dangerous precedent.” The senator demanded an immediate briefing from security chiefs. His tone mixed outrage with urgency.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio moved quickly. Calm, measured. He acknowledged Ningi’s fury but urged patience. “We planned a closed-door session,” Akpabio explained. It was supposed to happen Tuesday. But Senator Godiya Akwashiki’s death on December 31, 2025, forced a suspension. Respect came first.
Akpabio’s reassurance hung in the air. “We’ll meet tomorrow. Behind closed doors. Security matters aren’t for public chatter.” His words softened the tension. A temporary truce in a brewing constitutional clash.
The Strikes: What We Know
Christmas night. Quiet streets in Sokoto. Then, chaos. US AFRICOM drones and missiles rained down. Sixteen munitions. MQ-9 Reapers overhead. A Navy destroyer in the Gulf of Guinea. Targets: ISIS-linked camps. Training hubs. Attack planners.
The US military confirmed it. Multiple terrorists killed. All in coordination with Nigerian authorities. The goal? Disrupt ISIS-Sahel Province (ISSP) and the Lakurawa infiltrators. A growing threat from the north.
But the politics? More explosive.
President Trump had just labeled Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern.” His reason? Alleged persecution of Christians. The airstrikes followed weeks later. Coincidence? Or calculated?
The Senate’s Dilemma
Ningi isn’t backing down. He cites Section 5 of Nigeria’s constitution. The legislature must approve foreign military actions. Period. “The executive can’t play solo here,” he insists. His stance resonates with many lawmakers. Quiet grumbles echoed across the aisle.
Akpabio’s challenge? Balance transparency with secrecy. Reveal too much, and terrorists adapt. Say too little, and senators revolt. His solution? A private briefing. Just 24 hours later. But trust is thin.
Behind Closed Doors
Thursday’s meeting will be tense. Classified intel. No press. No public. Senators will hear the full story: Why Sokoto? Why Christmas? Was Nigerian airspace violated?
Critics whisper about overreach. Supporters call it necessary. The line between sovereignty and security blurs.
Why It Matters
This isn’t just about bombs. It’s about who speaks for Nigeria. The Senate feels ignored. The executive acted swiftly. Now, the fallout.
Ningi’s protest is a wake-up call. If foreign powers strike freely, what’s next? Sovereignty isn’t theoretical. It’s soil, sky, and the right to say “no.”
The closed-door briefing might calm nerves. Or ignite bigger fights. For now, Nigeria watches. And waits.
