ABUJA – The Senate will hold a closed-door executive session to address concerns raised over the December 25, 2025, United States military airstrikes on terrorist targets in Sokoto State, following a senator’s claim that the legislature was improperly excluded from the process.
The decision came after Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) raised a point of order during Wednesday’s plenary, arguing that the operation constituted an infringement on Nigeria’s territorial integrity. He stressed that the National Assembly, with its constitutional mandate for national security oversight, should have been consulted.
“It is not right. If we begin to dilly dally, it becomes a problem… This is a violation of our territorial integrity,” Senator Ningi stated. He warned that allowing the executive to unilaterally approve foreign military actions could set a dangerous precedent.
In response, Senate President Godswill Akpabio acknowledged the sensitivity of the matter, confirming that a briefing for lawmakers had been planned but postponed due to activities honoring the late Senator Godiya Akwashiki.
“This is a security matter and we really should not discuss it in the open… Arrangements will be made to brief senators in a closed session,” Akpabio stated.
The U.S. Africa Command had previously confirmed the airstrikes, carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities, targeted Islamic State group camps, killing several fighters. The upcoming briefing aims to clarify the extent of legislative involvement and the operational details.
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Disclaimer: This report details parliamentary proceedings concerning a sensitive national security operation. The details of the closed-door briefing are expected to remain confidential.
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