The lawmaker representing Bauchi Central, Abdul Ningi, has opined that the United States breached the territorial integrity of Nigeria by using air strikes on the country’s Northwest region on Christmas Day.
Speaking during an appearance on Arise News on Thursday, the lawmaker argued that the US breached the sovereignty of Nigeria.
Bellnews recalls that the United States, under the directive of President Donald Trump, struck the terrorists’ enclave in Sokoto State with air strikes on Christmas Day.
The air strikes took place after President Donald Trump of the United States designated Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern‘, CPC, in response to allegations of widespread persecution and genocide against Christians.
Afterwards, Trump said he had asked the Defence Department to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria if the Nigerian government “continues to allow the killing of Christians”.
Reacting, the Bauchi Senator said, “as far as I’m concerned about this matter that the United States military hit our land with a missile, it is a violation of our sovereignty.
“The United States military breached the territorial integrity of this country, and we, therefore, need an explanation.”
Meanwhile, Ningi, has expressed concern over the exclusion of the Senate from diplomatic discussions that paved the way for the United States military airstrikes in Sokoto State.
Speaking during a debate on the airstrikes that reportedly killed several terrorists in Sokoto on Christmas night, the lawmaker warned that other countries may also take action against Nigeria if such operations are repeatedly allowed to be carried out without proper procedures.
He argued that the military Sokoto operation violates the United Nations (UN) Charter.
Ningi noted that if the National Assembly allows it to happen, leaders of the Senate, including the President, Godswill Akpabio, may one day be targeted when certain laws are passed.
He said, “If we allow this matter to go on like this, the American government is not the only powerful military force on the face of the earth. If the Russians wanted something and we refused, they can take action. If we deny the UN army its interests, they can take action. The Germans, the French, they can take action.
“Mr. President, if we allow this to happen and we pass a law here that is detrimental to any powerful country, the next thing we’ll hear is that President Akpabio has been hijacked and taken away.”