Bauchi Central Senator Abdul Ningi has accused the United States of violating Nigeria’s territorial integrity through Christmas Day airstrikes on terrorist targets in the Northwest, particularly Sokoto State, and insisted that Washington must provide a full explanation for the action.
Speaking in an interview on Arise Television on Thursday, January 29, 2026, the lawmaker described the US military operation as a direct infringement on Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“As far as I’m concerned about this matter that the United States military hit our land with a missile, it is a violation of our sovereignty. The United States military breached the territorial integrity of this country, and we, therefore, need an explanation,” Ningi stated.
The strikes, carried out under the directive of US President Donald Trump on December 25, 2025, targeted terrorists’ enclaves in Sokoto following the US designation of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ (CPC) over alleged widespread persecution and genocide against Christians.
Trump had previously warned that the US Defence Department was preparing for possible military action if Nigeria continued to allow the killing of Christians.
Ningi, a member of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), raised the issue amid broader Senate concerns that the National Assembly was not consulted or involved prior to the operation, despite constitutional provisions vesting military oversight in the legislature and the President as Commander-in-Chief.
The senator’s comments have reignited debate on sovereignty, foreign military involvement on Nigerian soil, and the need for transparency in security collaborations. Reports indicate the Senate plans a closed-door briefing from security agencies on the matter, though public debate was deferred citing national security sensitivities.
No immediate response from the US or Nigerian executive had been reported as of publication.
