CSOs Condemn U.S. Air Strike on Nigeria, Demand Tinubu’s Explanation

A coalition of Nigerian civil society organisations and prominent civic leaders has expressed grave concern over a United States air strike carried out on Nigerian territory on Christmas Day, describing the development as a serious threat to national sovereignty, constitutional governance and civilian safety.
In a strongly worded joint statement issued on Wednesday, the groups faulted what they described as the silence and apparent abdication of responsibility by Nigeria’s political and military leadership following the strike, raising fundamental questions about accountability and democratic oversight.
According to the organisations, the incident highlights a dual crisis of leadership and security in Nigeria, which they attributed to what they called the failure of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fully exercise his constitutional role as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
They argued that allowing a foreign government to conduct air strikes to address what they termed an internal security challenge amounted to a ceding of Nigeria’s sovereign authority, an action they said undermines the country’s constitutional order.
The statement further criticised the absence of public communication from the President, the Service Chiefs and the leadership of the National Assembly during and after the operation, noting that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, was left to defend decisions with far-reaching implications for national sovereignty.
“This silence represents a profound breakdown of institutional accountability,” the groups said, citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.
While acknowledging the relevance of international cooperation in counterterrorism efforts, the organisations called for an urgent review of Nigeria’s National Counter Terrorism Strategy (NACTEST) and its National Action Plan on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism to determine whether the recent operation aligns with established frameworks or exposes serious gaps.
They also expressed deep concern over the lack of information surrounding the legal basis, scope, rules of engagement and civilian protection measures governing the collaboration between Nigeria and the United States.
According to the statement, Nigerians have not been informed whether the National Assembly approved or exercised oversight over the operation, nor have they been told what accountability mechanisms exist in the event of civilian harm.
Reports that debris from the strike fell on farmlands in Jabo, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and near a hotel in Offa, Kwara State, were cited as evidence of the risks posed to civilian lives and property.
The groups noted that although the Nigerian Air Force inaugurated a Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHMR) Board in July 2025, no publicly articulated civilian harm mitigation protocols were presented for the Christmas Day offensive.
They warned that the government’s handling of the incident could inflame religious and communal tensions in an already fragile national environment and stressed the need for a unified, inclusive and rights-respecting approach to security.
The coalition demanded transparent investigations into the strike, public disclosure of findings, prompt assistance to affected communities and adequate compensation for victims where harm has occurred.
In a particularly strong conclusion, the organisations stated that if the President and his security leadership believe they lack the capacity or will to manage Nigeria’s internal security challenges within constitutional limits, democratic integrity demands that they resign.
“Nigerians deserve accountable leadership and security rooted in sovereignty, the rule of law, and respect for human life,” the statement concluded.
The statement was jointly signed by over 100 civil society organisations and civic leaders, including Amnesty International Nigeria, BudgIT, Yiaga Africa, Media Rights Agenda, CISLAC, AFRICMIL, Global Rights, and several community-based and human rights groups across the country.