Former presidential candidate and rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has strongly criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration over recent United States airstrikes carried out in Nigeria’s North-West, accusing the government of failing to safeguard the country’s sovereignty.
Sowore voiced his concerns on Friday via his social media platforms, reacting to announcements by U.S. President Donald Trump confirming that American forces had conducted military operations against terrorist targets in the region.
According to Sowore, reports indicate that the strikes took place on Nigerian territory on Christmas Day, raising serious questions about Nigeria’s authority and independence in security matters. He rejected the Federal Government’s claim that it had full knowledge of, or consented to, the operation, describing such explanations as an afterthought meant to mask weakness.
He argued that the Tinubu-led government lacks the strength and credibility to exercise true control over Nigeria’s territorial integrity, insisting that the strikes occurred without genuine approval from competent national leadership.
Referring specifically to the confirmed strike on a community in Sokoto State, Sowore said the incident reflects a disturbing level of disregard for Nigeria and its citizens by foreign powers. He warned that Africa’s most populous nation should not be treated as a playground for external military decisions.
Sowore further stated that Nigeria has been reduced to a passive observer while critical decisions affecting its security are taken elsewhere, stressing that only decisive, accountable, and visionary leadership can truly defend the country and its people.
He maintained that Nigeria’s safety cannot be guaranteed by foreign political interests or ideologies operating from outside its borders, but by leadership that prioritises national dignity, sovereignty, and the welfare of citizens.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has defended the operation, confirming that the airstrikes were carried out through coordinated intelligence sharing and security collaboration with international partners, including the United States.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, authorities explained that the action formed part of an ongoing counter-terrorism strategy aimed at dismantling violent extremist networks in the North-West. The ministry emphasised that the cooperation followed international norms, respected Nigeria’s sovereignty, and focused on precision targeting to minimise civilian harm.
The government reiterated that all counter-terrorism measures are guided by the protection of lives, national unity, and respect for human rights, noting that terrorism remains a threat to all communities regardless of religion or ethnicity.