Ningi Raises Alarm, Says Senate Unaware of US Airstrikes on Nigerian Soil

|By Chinwendu Nwani

Bauchi Central Senator, Abdul Ningi, has faulted the reported United States airstrikes in Nigeria, declaring that the Senate was never briefed or consulted before the operation was carried out.

Ningi raised the alarm on Tuesday during plenary while speaking on a point of order and matters of privilege. He warned that foreign military action on Nigerian territory, without legislative knowledge, exposes the country to further external aggression and undermines its sovereignty.

The lawmaker urged the Senate to immediately summon the nation’s service chiefs to explain how the airstrikes occurred and clarify issues surrounding Nigeria’s territorial integrity. He argued that no foreign power, including the United States, has the authority to conduct bombing operations or target terrorist camps within Nigeria without due constitutional process.

Describing the development as a serious constitutional breach, Ningi stressed that members of the National Assembly were completely unaware of the airstrikes before they were executed.

“The Senate should order the service chiefs to brief the Senate on the territorial integrity of the country,” he said.

His remarks followed an announcement by United States President, Donald Trump, who stated that the US military had successfully carried out what he described as a “powerful and deadly” airstrike against ISIS-affiliated terrorists in northwest Nigeria.

The airstrikes reportedly targeted terrorist enclaves in parts of Sokoto State. While the Nigerian government confirmed that it provided intelligence support for the operation, Ningi maintained that the lack of legislative oversight remains unacceptable.