ADC slams Tinubu over US air strikes in Sokoto, demands details of terrorists killed

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) says the air strikes carried out by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) in Sokoto state on Friday highlight what it describes as the “historic incompetence” of the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The United States launched a series of air strikes on ISIS terrorists in Sokoto in the early hours of Friday.

Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s minister of foreign affairs, said the United States carried Nigeria along before conducting the air strikes.

In a statement, Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the ADC, said the opposition party supports lawful efforts to protect Nigerians but blamed governance failure for the foreign military operations on Nigerian soil.

The ADC spokesperson warned that permitting external forces to conduct direct military operations in the country is unsustainable and could undermine Nigeria’s long-term strategic interests.

He also questioned Nigeria’s role in the operation, warning that the country should not be reduced to “mere informants” in an exercise it ought to be leading.

Abdullahi asked the federal government to provide clarification on operational control, casualties, and specific information on the number and identity of terrorists killed in the airstrikes.

“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) recognises the serious security challenges confronting Nigeria and affirms that the protection of Nigerian lives and the defeat of terrorism must remain a central national priority,” the statement reads.

“We therefore support all lawful and effective measures aimed at saving lives and restoring security.”

He reiterated the party’s opposition to the physical operation of foreign military forces on Nigerian soil, warning that desperation should not compromise national sovereignty.

“It is in this context that we accept the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) airstrikes on ‘terrorist locations’ in Sokoto State on Thursday, December 25, 2025, only as a desperate measure that must not be allowed to substitute for a Nigeria-led action,” he said.

“This is what happens when a government behaves as though governance is all about revenue collection and all other issues, including national security and diplomacy, could be treated as an afterthought.”

He also criticised the manner in which Nigerians were informed of the development, noting that the first public information came from a social media post by the American president rather than a direct address by Nigeria’s leader.

Abdullahi noted that the statements by the federal government suggested Nigeria merely provided intelligence for the operation and questioned why the country, despite spending trillions of naira on security, was unable to lead the mission if it possessed actionable intelligence.

He warned against confusing “strategic collaboration” with “myopic surrender”, saying the latter could be counter-productive to national security.

“What we see is that President Tinubu has outsourced his most important constitutional responsibility, effectively taking a back seat in a vehicle he is constitutionally assigned to drive,” he said.

He said the party is in support of the fight against terrorism but is deeply disturbed by the long-term implications of the incident for Nigeria’s sovereignty, strategic autonomy, and self-respect.

He added that the government must begin by answering critical questions raised by the airstrike and clearly outlining the direction of its security strategy going forward.