‘US Airstrikes In Nigeria Is Historic Incompetence’, ADC Slams Tinubu

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the administration of President Bola Tinubu over what it described as “historic incompetence” following the airstrikes carried out by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) in Sokoto State on Thursday.

In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said while it supports lawful efforts to safeguard the lives of Nigerians, the foreign military operation exposed deep governance failures that allowed external forces to carry out direct actions on Nigerian soil.

Abdullahi warned that permitting foreign militaries to conduct operations within the country was unsustainable and posed serious risks to Nigeria’s long-term strategic and security interests.

He also questioned Nigeria’s role in the operation, cautioning that the country must not be reduced to a passive informant in an exercise it ought to be directing.

The ADC spokesman called on the Federal Government to provide clarity on the extent of Nigeria’s operational control, the number of casualties recorded, and the identities of terrorists reportedly neutralised during the strikes.

“This is a display of historic incompetence on the part of the Tinubu administration. The African Democratic Congress recognises the grave security challenges facing Nigeria and affirms that the protection of lives and the defeat of terrorism must remain a top national priority,” Abdullahi said.

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

However, Abdullahi reiterated the party’s opposition to the physical presence and operations of foreign military forces in Nigeria, stressing that desperation in tackling insecurity must not come at the expense of national sovereignty.

LEADERSHIP reports that the United States carried out a series of air strikes targeting ISIS terrorists in parts of Sokoto State on Christmas Day.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has stated that Nigeria was duly informed and carried along by the United States before the airstrikes were conducted.

A late Friday statement by the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris further explained that the operation was authorised by President Tinubu and was supervised by Nigeria’s Ministers of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd.) and Foreign Affairs, Tugar.