Civil Society Blasts Tinubu Over Alleged U.S. Air Strike On Nigerian Soil
Nigeria’s fragile social contract is once again under scrutiny as civil society groups question not just security strategy, but the very presence of leadership at a critical moment.
A coalition of Nigerian civil society organisations has raised alarm over what it describes as a troubling leadership vacuum following an alleged U.S. air strike carried out on Nigerian territory on Christmas Day.
In a strongly worded press statement issued on December 29, the groups demanded clarity, accountability and constitutional responsibility from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the nation’s security leadership.
Under the banner of Nigerian Joint Civil Society Action, the organisations expressed deep concern over what they termed the “silence, absence and abdication of responsibility” by the President, the Service Chiefs and the National Assembly in the wake of the reported operation.
They argued that inviting a foreign military power to intervene in an internal security matter undermines Nigeria’s sovereignty and constitutional order.
The statement cited Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which places the security and welfare of citizens as the primary purpose of government, noting that any foreign military engagement must be grounded in transparency, democratic oversight and civilian protection, standards they insist were not met.
Civil society leaders also questioned the legal basis, rules of engagement and civilian harm mitigation measures guiding the reported operation, particularly amid claims that debris from expended munitions landed on farmlands in Sokoto State and near a hotel in Kwara State.
They warned that the absence of clear information fuels mistrust and could heighten communal and religious tensions.
While acknowledging the role of international counterterrorism cooperation, the groups called for an urgent review of Nigeria’s counterterrorism frameworks to determine whether they align with the actions reportedly taken.
They further demanded transparent investigations, public disclosure of findings, and compensation for any civilian harm.
In one of the strongest sections of the statement, the coalition declared that if the President and security leadership believe they lack the capacity or will to manage Nigeria’s internal security challenges within constitutional limits, “then constitutional responsibility and democratic integrity demand that they resign.”
The statement was jointly signed by a wide spectrum of organisations, including Amnesty International Nigeria, BudgIT, CISLAC, Yiaga Africa, Media Rights Agenda, Global Rights, SBM Intelligence and dozens of other civil society, human rights and community-based groups.
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