BY GODWIN OBI
The Senate has announced plans to hold an executive briefing on the United States air strikes carried out on December 25, 2025, against terrorist targets in Sokoto State, following concerns raised by Senator Abdul Ningi over the alleged exclusion of the National Assembly from pre-operation consultations.
Raising the matter under Order 42 (Matters of Privilege) during plenary, Senator Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central, argued that the air strikes constituted an infringement on Nigeria’s territorial integrity and should have been subjected to legislative oversight.
He maintained that the National Assembly, which is constitutionally empowered to play a role in matters of national security and foreign military engagements, was not consulted before the operation was executed.
“It is not right. If we begin to dilly-dally, it becomes a problem. The leadership of the National Assembly should be briefed by the security agencies on what actually happened. This is a violation of our territorial integrity,” Ningi said.
The senator cautioned that allowing the executive arm of government to unilaterally approve foreign military operations within Nigeria could set a dangerous precedent, warning that other global powers might feel emboldened to undertake similar actions without legislative involvement.
Responding, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the Senate leadership had already made arrangements to brief lawmakers in an executive session but was unable to do so as scheduled.
According to Akpabio, the closed-door briefing was postponed due to the suspension of legislative activities in honour of the late Senator Godiya Akwashiki, who passed away on December 31, 2025.
“This is a security matter and we really should not discuss it in the open. We intended to brief senators behind closed doors yesterday, but because of Senator Akwashiki’s passing, we could not proceed. Your point of order is noted, and arrangements will be made to brief senators in an executive session,” Akpabio said.
The U.S. air strikes, conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities, targeted camps linked to the Islamic State group. The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed that several ISIS fighters were killed during the operation.
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