The Senate has announced plans to hold an executive (closed-door) briefing on the United States air strikes carried out on December 25, 2025, in Sokoto State, following concerns raised by Senator Abdul Ningi over the alleged exclusion of the National Assembly from discussions before the operation.
Gatekeepers News reports that raising the matter under Order 42 (Matters of Privilege) during plenary, Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central, described the strikes as an infringement on Nigeria’s territorial integrity and said lawmakers should have been consulted.
He argued that the National Assembly, which has constitutional oversight over national security and foreign military engagements, was sidelined.
“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 warned that allowing the executive arm to unilaterally approve foreign military operations could set a dangerous precedent and embolden other global powers to act without legislative oversight.
Responding, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said arrangements had already been made to brief senators in a closed session, but the meeting was postponed.
According to him, the briefing was delayed due to the suspension of legislative activities in honour of the late Senator Godiya Akwashiki, who died on December 31, 2025.
“This is a security matter and we really should not discuss it in the open. We wanted to do it behind closed doors yesterday, but because of Senator Akwashiki, we couldn’t. Your point of order is noted and arrangements will be made to brief senators in a closed session,” Akpabio said.
The U.S. air strikes, carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities, targeted terrorist camps linked to the Islamic State (ISIS). The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed that several fighters were killed in the operation.
