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A former presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adamu Garba, has raised concerns over a recent United States military operation in Nigeria, warning that the airstrikes could endanger civilians and undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Garba, who is also the Director-General of the Centre for African Progress and Development, expressed his concerns in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday.
‘Operation Undermines Expected Collaboration’
According to Garba, while he has consistently advocated for U.S. support in Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts, such cooperation must be led by the Nigerian military.
“We have openly advocated for U.S. collaboration with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism, on the premise that the Nigerian military takes the lead, with the U.S. playing a supporting role,” he said.
“However, what happened on Christmas Day runs counter to our expectations.”
Allegations of Unilateral Action
Garba criticised what he described as the unilateral launch of a Tomahawk missile, noting that Nigerian military personnel were reportedly not present at the base to coordinate with U.S. forces during the operation.
“What we witnessed was the U.S. acting alone, reducing Nigeria’s very capable military to a fire brigade expected to handle only the aftermath of the attack,” he stated.
He further questioned why debris and components from the missile allegedly remained at the strike site for over 48 hours without visible Nigerian military oversight or evacuation.
“How can one explain that debris and missile components were still on site two days later without Nigerian military presence to assess and secure the area?” he asked, adding that there was little public communication from Nigerian authorities about the nature of the joint operation.
Warning of Civilian Risks
Garba warned that allowing foreign forces to lead bombing campaigns on Nigerian soil could have dangerous consequences for civilians.
“If Nigeria does not take the lead in coordinating and routing these operations, then no Nigerian is safe in their home. Bombings could happen anytime, anywhere, under the guise of fighting terrorism,” he cautioned.
Drawing parallels with U.S. military actions in Somalia, Yemen, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Libya, Garba argued that uncoordinated airstrikes often worsen insecurity rather than contain it.
“The U.S. has bombed Somalia from offshore bases for over 30 years. Has that ended terrorism there? No — it has only exacerbated it,” he said.
Risk of Terrorist Coalition
Garba also warned that intensified foreign-led operations could push various terrorist groups operating in the Sahel to unite against what they perceive as a common enemy.
“Groups such as ISWAP, ISGS, Boko Haram, JNIM, MLF, and Lakurawa could unite their forces against what they call the ‘Big Evil’ — the United States — on Nigerian soil. The consequences would be catastrophic,” he said.
Call for National Assembly Oversight
He urged the Nigerian government to establish a clear legal and operational framework for joint counterterrorism operations, subject to approval by the National Assembly.
“The Nigerian government must take the lead. The U.S. should take a back seat and allow our military to steer these operations while respecting Nigeria’s sovereignty and human rights,” Garba said.
He added that any joint framework should be debated, approved, and gazetted before implementation.
“Either Nigeria leads counterterrorism operations on its soil, or the U.S. should completely stay off our land, air, and sea spaces,” he concluded.
Background to the Airstrike
Garba’s comments follow a Christmas Day airstrike authorised and announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, reportedly in response to alleged threats against Christians in Nigeria.
The strike, carried out by a U.S. Navy warship stationed in the Gulf of Guinea, targeted two Islamic State camps in Sokoto State, with reports of debris scattered across nearby farmland.
Despite claims by the Nigerian government of shared intelligence and collaboration, the incident has fueled public scepticism over the extent of Nigeria’s direct involvement in the operation.
